Announcing the First Hands-on Training in Coordinated Microbeam Analyses of Extraterrestrial Samples!
A two-day training session will be held at NASA Johnson Space Center (lab training) and the Lunar and Planetary Institute (classroom training) in Houston, Texas on November 15-16, 2016.
IMPORTANT DATES
|
October 7, 2016 Application Deadline |
October 12, 2016 Selection Announcement |
November 14, 2016 Arrival/JSC Badging |
November 15-16, 2016 Day 1: NASA JSC lab training Day 2: LPI classroom training |
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA
- Must be U.S. citizen or permanent (green-card) resident to participate in lab training at NASA Johnson Space Center.
- Hands-on lab training limited to 4-6 participants to ensure personalized attention in a small group setting.
- Priority consideration will be given to candidates with demonstrated need and strong likelihood of applying new knowledge and skills.
- Candidates must use the online application form to apply.
- Apollo and some Luna samples of the moon
- Hayabusa asteroid particles
- Cosmic dust collected in the stratosphere
- Stardust comet and interstellar samples
- Genesis samples of solar wind
- Space hardware with micrometeorite impacts
- Meteorites collected in Antarctica by the ANSMET expeditions
Travel support may be available for early-career researchers.
BACKGROUND
Coordinated Microbeam Analyses involves sample selection, preparation and analyses so as to obtain multiple distinct types of data on the same small material or grain. For instance, on a single grain (as from the Hayabusa asteroid return), one can determine: its morphology, its bulk chemical composition and chemical zoning, oxidation states of its elements, its crystal structure and variations (e.g., domains or amorphous rims), its trace element content, its ratios of stable or radiogenic isotopes, and/or the molecular characteristics of its organic matter.
Purpose
Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science (ARES)/JSC and the LPI will share this expertise with the Planetary Science community via these training sessions to stimulate innovative investigations of the invaluable collections of extraterrestrial materials curated by ARES/JSC.
Collections include:
Schedule
November 14 - Afternoon | Participants arrive in Houston and obtain one-day badges at JSC security, Bldg. 110 |
November 15 | Day 1: Hands-on lab training at JSC |
8:30 AM | Convene at JSC, Bldg. 31 Conference Room |
Morning Session | Scanning Electron Microscopy & Electron Microprobe: Sample Preparation and Analyses |
Noon | Lunch TBD |
Afternoon Session | Focused Ion-Beam Milling & Microtomy for Sample Preparation; Transmission Electron Microscopy; Preparation for further analyses: SIMS, Laser Desorption, Etc. |
Dinner | Informal Group Dinner |
November 16 | Day 2: Classroom training at the LPI |
8:30 AM | Convene at the Lunar and Planetary Institute |
Morning Session | What's Available? The new Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science Curation Website; Writing a Successful Request for Sample; Security for NASA-Curated Extraterrestrial Samples |
Noon | Lunch TBD |
Afternoon Session | Assisted Practicum in Sample Selection & Proposal Writing; Discussion; Evaluation |
2:30 PM | Short tour of USRA Houston building and facilities; Conclusion and departures for airports |
To apply to participate in the training on Coordinated Microbeam Sample Analyses, please fill out the following enquiry boxes, indicate that you are not a mindless robot, and click 'Submit.'
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