[GEM] THE GEM MESSENGER, Volume 25, Number 45

Wed Nov 4 18:48:24 PST 2015

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     THE GEM MESSENGER
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Volume 25, Number 45
November 4, 2015

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Table of Contents

1. News from the NSF Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences: New Geospace Section Head
2. Dear Colleague Letter: Prediction of and Resilience against Extreme EVENTS (PREEVENTS)
3. Dear Colleague Letter: Concepts for Future Operation of the Arecibo Observatory

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1. News from the NSF Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences: New Geospace Section Head
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From: Anne-Marie Schmoltner (aschmolt at nsf.gov)

Dear Geospace colleagues:

It is my distinct pleasure to announce that Dr. Therese Moretto Jorgensen has been appointed as Head, Geospace Sciences (GS) Section, in the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences at NSF.  

Starting with her Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Oxford, she has over 20 years of experience in geospace sciences.  She joined the Foundation in November of 2004, after serving as Senior Researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.  Since that time Therese has served as a Program Officer in the Geospace Sciences Section, accumulating over ten years of experience with the Section and the variety of science that it manages.  

In her time at NSF she has worked on various aspects of aeronomy, solar-terrestrial processes, magnetospheric physics, and space weather.  She has played a key role in developing the Cubesat program and establishing effective collaborations with NASA to enable low-cost satellite missions that both promote and develop geospace science, and engage and inspire students.   She developed the Space Weather program in GS and has contributed to strategic planning for the National Space Weather Program.  Among her achievements in development of Space Weather research capabilities is her support of the development of the AMPERE project, which utilized the existing commercial Iridium constellation of satellites to routinely collect geomagnetic field data.   Among her passions and achievements is the promotion of diversity in Geospace Sciences.  Therese joins the other two Section Heads in AGS, Pat Harr (Atmosphere Section) and Sarah Ruth (NCAR and Facilities Section), completing the AGS Leadership Team.   
Dr. Moretto Jorgensen's appointment was effective November 1, 2015.

In this time of transition, the Geospace Section was very ably and generously served by Acting Section Heads Vladimir Papitashvili, and Janet Kozyra.  We are grateful for their expert and capable help during this time.

Please join us in congratulating Therese!  We look forward to working in partnership with Therese on the continuing success of Geospace Sciences at NSF, and in her service to the geospace science community.

Regards,
Paul Shepson

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2. Dear Colleague Letter: Prediction of and Resilience against Extreme EVENTS (PREEVENTS)
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From: Therese Moretto Jorgensen (tjorgens at nsf.gov)

PREEVENTS is one of the successors to the Hazards SEES program, and one element of the FY16 Risk and Resilience activity at NSF. PREEVENTS is designed to (1) enhance understanding of the fundamental processes underlying natural hazards and extreme events on various spatial and temporal scales, as well as the variability inherent in such hazards and events; (2) improve models of natural hazards, extreme events, and their impacts on natural, social, and economic systems; and (3) enable development of new tools to enhance societal preparedness and resilience against such impacts. PREEVENTS will focus on natural hazards and extreme events, not those that are deliberate or accidental. PREEVENTS will include opportunities for disciplinary and multidisciplinary projects at multiple scales, particularly in areas ripe for significant near- or medium-term advances. 

Through this letter, GEO welcomes proposals for research projects and/or focused workshops that would advance the goals of PREEVENTS. Research projects may involve any PREEVENTS-relevant scientific area supported by existing GEO programs. GEO envisions PREEVENTS workshops as fostering community development in disciplinary and/or cross-disciplinary areas that are not yet well established. PREEVENTS proposals may be submitted to any appropriate existing GEO program(s), subject to the limitations for the particular program(s).

For Frequently asked questions, please see the following link:

http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUxMDI5LjUwODI4ODcxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MTAyOS41MDgyODg3MSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MDQ5NjUyJmVtYWlsaWQ9YXNjaG1vbHRAbnNmLmdvdiZ1c2VyaWQ9YXNjaG1vbHRAbnNmLmdvdiZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&100&&&http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16022/nsf16022.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT.mc_ev=click

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3. Dear Colleague Letter: Concepts for Future Operation of the Arecibo Observatory
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From: Therese Moretto Jorgensen (tjorgens at nsf.gov)

Dear Colleague:

This Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) requests community responses on viable concepts for the future continued operation of the Arecibo Observatory. The Arecibo Observatory is a scientific research and education facility located in Puerto Rico, owned by the National Science Foundation (NSF). In 2011, NSF awarded a five-year Cooperative Agreement to SRI International (SRI), who together with Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and Universidad Metropolitana (UMET) formed the Arecibo Management Team to operate and maintain the Arecibo Observatory on behalf of the NSF. The Arecibo Observatory enables research in three scientific disciplines: Space and Atmospheric Sciences, Radio Astronomy, and Solar System Radar Studies. A key component of the Arecibo Observatory research facility is a 305-meter diameter, fixed, spherical reflector, located on approximately 120 acres of U.S. Government-owned land in Barrio Esperanza, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, 10 miles inland from the city of Arecibo. The Arecibo Observatory infrastructure includes instrumentation for radio and radar astronomy, ionospheric physics, office and laboratory buildings, a heavily utilized visitor and education facility, and lodging facilities for visiting scientists. More information is available at http://www.naic.edu.

The purpose of this DCL is to request viable concepts for the future of the Arecibo Observatory, specifically including strategies and goals for continued operations that involve a substantially reduced funding commitment from NSF. The Arecibo Observatory serves the interests of a diverse group of stakeholders, all of which are keenly interested in the Arecibo Observatory's continued long-term productivity and return on investment. As the owner, the National Science Foundation is now conducting a feasibility study that will help inform the scope of the necessary environmental reviews for any change to operations of the Observatory or possible transfer of title of the Observatory to another party.

In 2012, the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences' Portfolio Review Committee recommended that "continued AST involvement in Arecibo ... be re-evaluated later in the decade in light of the science opportunities and budget forecasts at that time." (Report available at http://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/ast_portfolio_review.jsp). This DCL follows up on that recommendation, in light of the upcoming expiration of the initial 5-year cooperative agreement with SRI. Responses to this DCL are not intended to be limited in any way or directed toward a specific solution in terms of management or operations concepts. NSF is seeking responses based on both traditional single-organization management concepts, along with less-traditional, multi-partner concepts, possibly involving joint public-private partnerships. NSF remains open to concepts involving some level of NSF participation. Responses may also include concepts involving the assumption of title and ownership of the Arecibo Observatory by the responder, including all ancillary facilities and infrastructure.

Responses should include the following:

A clear description of the operations and activities an interested party would propose to conduct at the Arecibo Observatory, along with a description of which current scientific and educational activities would and would not continue to be conducted.

A conceptual business, financial, and managerial outline for the Arecibo Observatory, including a clear description of how much and for how long NSF financial support and participation would be sought to make this plan viable.

If applicable, an outline of the ways and means of effectively planning and managing the receipt of the title transfer for parts or all of the Arecibo Observatory, including ancillary facilities and infrastructure to the responder.
Please submit responses by 31 December 2015. Responses to this request do not bind NSF to any further or specific actions related to this topic. This DCL is not a formal solicitation for proposals, and conveys neither a financial commitment nor a reflection of a final decision of the disposition of the Arecibo Observatory. To the extent that the sender plans to provide any information that it considers proprietary, such status must be unambiguously communicated and clearly marked.

Responses, along with questions and comments, should be submitted in electronic form, via e-mail, to the Arecibo Observatory Program officer of the NSF Division of Astronomical Sciences, Dr. Ralph Gaume (rgaume at nsf.gov).

Sincerely,

James S. Ulvestad
Division Director, MPS/AST

Paul B. Shepson
Division Director, GEO/AGS

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