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I hope this message finds you well and I am delighted to have the opportunity to share some highlights from the Heliophysics Division. However, before I get into the highlights, I want to call attention to the deadly and horrific attacks on Asian Americans in Atlanta, Georgia, a few weeks ago. On behalf of the entire Heliophysics and SMD leadership team, I can say that we stand together in condemning the violence towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. I also would like to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA), and we will ensure that our efforts are informed by the values and contributions of our Asian American & Pacific Islander communities.
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A couple weeks ago officially marked one year since we went to full remote work and I am sure that like me, you all engaged in some sort of reflection. Despite the incredible challenges this year has thrown at us, we have emerged a stronger team with a huge number of successes.
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Now, I am excited to share some new staffing updates with you: For those of you interested in applying for the Heliophysics Associate Director for Flight position, please note that the posting will close on April 5. At Headquarters, we are pleased to welcome Washito Sasamoto as a Program Executive on detail from LaRC Science Office for Mission Assessments (SOMA)—welcome, Washito! Additionally, it is with mixed emotions that I share two departures from HPD. Karen Fox, who has long served as the Communications Lead for Heliophysics at Goddard and Headquarters has accepted a detail as the Office of Communications Lead for the Science Mission Directorate. Also, Ezinne Uzo-Okoro has accepted a position as Assistant Director for Space Policy for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Congratulations Karen and Ezinne! We look forward to following all the tremendous work you will continue to accomplish.
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Congratulations to HPD Program Scientist Lika Guhathakurta, who was honored today, April 1, with the 2020 International Baron Marcel Nicolet Medal for Space Weather and Space Climate. The recipient of the Baron Marcel Nicolet Medal must have demonstrated a unique ability to bind the space weather community in a spirit of peace and friendship, to educate within the space weather community, to go also beyond the space weather research community, and address larger audiences. We are very proud of you, Lika!
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Earlier in March, I had the pleasure to attend the Goddard Space Flight Center/Heliophysics Division Internal Scientist Funding Model Showcase. Nine Internal Scientist Funding Model projects gave ten-minute overview presentations, followed by three flash talks representing a part of the project given by an early career team member, and closed with a Q&A. It was wonderful to hear from so many outstanding early career scientists on their accomplishments and see the care and attention the more senior scientists are putting into mentoring and growing our upcoming community.
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JPL recently released that a plaque commemorating the Mars 2020 Parachute Deceleration System team was etched into the parachute mortar tube from the Perseverance Rover and is, therefore, now on Mars. Congratulations again to the Mars 2020 team, including the Wallops Flight Facility and Goddard Space Flight Center who were instrumental in testing the parachute.
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Last week, the Heliophysics Division participated in Space Science Week and the Committee on Solar and Space Physics spring meeting which included updates on the Heliophysics Division. We also heard from our colleagues at NSF and NOAA. Program Scientist Jared Leisner additionally presented on the refinement of the Solar Terrestrial Probe and Living With a Star mission lines in the next decade.
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Many of you are aware that we are approaching our next decadal survey. NASA, NSF, and NOAA will be asking the National Academy of Sciences to help identify a science strategy for the next decade and beyond. This is the time to engage and we are supporting community preparation. The Heliophysics 2050 Workshop will bring the entire community together to explore the specific science investigations necessary for us to advance and expand the field of solar and space physics. Abstract submission for Helio 2050 is currently open, and more information is available on the website. The registration deadline for Helio 2050 is April 26 – please join us!
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Community input is invited on the future of the Living With a Star program via the on-going LWS Architecture Study. The Heliophysics Mission Concept Studies call is soliciting new, compelling mission concepts that address the Solar Terrestrial Probes program’s goals and objectives.
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In parallel with these activities, we are supporting the National Academy of Sciences’ plan for community webinars, addressing topics such as process, requirements, and expectations. More information on these webinars to come. For more information on the decadal survey please see our website. If you have any questions, please contact Jared Leisner (jared.s.leisner@nasa.gov).
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Finally, NASA's Science Mission Directorate is seeking subject matter experts to serve as external (email) and/or virtual panel reviewers of proposals to the "ROSES" research solicitation. All of the reviewer volunteer forms may be accessed here where you may select the topics in which you consider yourself to be a subject matter expert. If your skills match the needs for that review and there are not too many organizational conflicts of interest, you will be contacted to discuss scheduling.
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I hope you are all able to take advantage of some of the warmer weather we are starting to see as Spring begins (although it is cold today in the DC area!).
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It’s a great time to be a Heliophysicist.
#HelioRocks
Nicky
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P.S. If you know of others interested in receiving this email, please direct them here. Thanks!
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