******************************************************************* BOLETIM ELETRÔNICO SAB N. 440 - 17/09/2008 ******************************************************************* SEÇÃO: INFORMES - OPORTUNIDADES Responsável: Vera Ap.F. Martin (vmartin1963@gmail.com) ******************************************************************* 1. AO-4 PROGRAM OF THE X-RAY ASTRONOMY SATELLITE SUZAKU 2. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW, HII REGIONS 3. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITIONS IN EXTRASOLAR PLANETS PENN STATE UNIVERSITY 4. J. MAYO GREENBERG SCHOLARSHIP PRIZE - 2009 ******************************************************************* 1. AO-4 PROGRAM OF THE X-RAY ASTRONOMY SATELLITE SUZAKU (comunicado por Raimundo Lopes) Dear all, We are pleased to inform you of the release of the AO-4 program of the X-ray astronomy satellite Suzaku. We appreciate if you can distribute this message to those who are interested in X-ray observations with Suzaku. Suzaku was developed under collaboration of Japan and the United States, and was launched by ISAS/JAXA on 2005 July 10. Suzaku carries four modules of the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) that focuses X- rays up to ~10 keV with high efficiency. In the focal plane of each XRT is mounted an X-ray CCD camera (XIS) module. The XIS has high sensitivity and moderate spatial resolution, which is especially advantageous in scrutinizing extended sources, as well as good spectral resolution for the soft X-ray below 0.8 keV, which is superior to that of Chandra and XMM-Newton. Moreover, we have applied so-called Spaced-row Charge Injection technique for the XIS since AO-2 to suppress degradation of energy resolution. The HXD has unprecedented sensitivity in the wide energy range up to 600 keV, although it has no imaging capability. The wide bandpass coverage of 0.2 keV through 600 keV with the XIS and the HXD is an important characteristic of the Suzaku mission. After the initial operation for instrument calibration and performance verification, which confirms the wide-bandpass, high- sensitivity, moderate spectral resolution of Suzaku, we entered the international AO phase of the mission in 2006 April, performing observations based on proposals received from the astronomical community world-wide. We plan to start AO-4 observations in 2009 April, and hereby solicit submission of observing proposals. The submission due is at 12:00JST (3:00UT) on December 5 (Fri), 2008. Changes made since the last AO are summarized as follows: (1) "Long Program" which was introduced in AO-3 is combined into a more general "Key Project", for which we spend 2000 ksec in total. (2) The upper limit of the exposure time of the ordinary observations, which was set 300 ksec until the last AO, is removed. Details on the ordinary proposal submission can be found at http://www.astro.isas.jaxa.jp/suzaku/proposal/ao4/announce/index.html.en Details on the Key project proposal submission can be found at http://www.astro.isas.jaxa.jp/suzaku/proposal/ao4/announce/keyp4_ann ounce_e.html Note that the data taken in the Key Project program and those of ordinary proposals with an exposure time >300 ksec are to be opened immediately after the initial data processing is completed and no proprietary is rewarded to the proposer. We appreciate submission of proposals which fully utilize the advantage of Suzaku. Best regards, Kazuhisa MITSUDA (Project manager, ISAS/JAXA) Tadayuki TAKAHASHI (Project sub-manager, ISAS/JAXA) Hideyo KUNIEDA (Project scientist, Nagoya University) ================================================================== 2. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW, HII REGIONS (comunicado por Raimundo Lopes) Postdoctoral Research Fellow, HII Regions Sally Oey University of Michigan Department of Astronomy 830 Dennison Building Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1042 USA Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position at at the University of Michigan to work with Prof. Sally Oey on projects related to galactic chemical evolution and starbursts, as revealed by HII regions and photoionized gas. There will also be broad opportunity in the area of galactic and cosmic evolution with respect to general massive star feedback effects. The successful candidate will have access to the University of Michigan telescope facilities, including the twin 6.5-m Magellan Telescopes at Las Campanas, and the MDM 2.4-m and 1.3-m telescopes at Kitt Peak. This position is available for two years, with possible extension for a third. The start date is flexible, to begin as soon as possible. Applicants should have a Ph.D. and experience with HII region spectroscopy. Experience with integral field spectroscopy is desireable. To apply, please submit curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and contact details for three references to Sally Oey at the given address. Applications may be submitted by email in PDF format, or by hardcopy. Please also include your available start date. The position will remain open until filled, but applications received by 15 November 2008 will receive first consideration. Inquiries may be directed to Sally Oey (msoey@umich.edu). The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Attention/Comments: Weblink: Email: msoey@umich.edu Deadline: 15 November 2008, or until filled =================================================================== 3. POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITIONS IN EXTRASOLAR PLANETS - PENN STATE UNIVERSITY (comunicado por Gustavo F. Porto de Mello) The Penn State Astronomy Department has announced the creation of a new Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds. As part of this effort they have posted an ad for two new postdoc positions in the areas of formation, detection, and characterization of extrasolar planets. The positions are for two years with a possibility of extension for one more year. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Astronomy or Physics and a promising research record, which includes a demonstrated experience in one or more fields as specified above. An interest and skills in hardware development are also desirable but not required. The recently launched Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds, hosted by the Department, provides resources to support a variety of extrasolar planet – related activities. It has several affiliates, from three departments, whose research interests include extrasolar planets. Among other assets, the Department is a major partner (25% of the observing time) in the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at the McDonald Observatory. Current information on research and other activities can be found at http://www.astro.psu.edu. Applications should include a cover letter, a CV, statement of research interests, list of publications, and names of three references, mailed to: Ms. Erin Eckley, (eckley@astro.psu.edu ) 525 Davey Lab, Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16803 Fax: 814-863-2842 phone: 814-865-0418 Review of applications will begin in October, and the search will continue until positions are filled. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce. ================================================================ 4. J. MAYO GREENBERG SCHOLARSHIP PRIZE - 2009 (comunicado por Adriana Válio) Leiden Observatory and the Leids Universiteitfonds have pleasure in inviting applications for the fourth J. Mayo Greenberg Scholarship Prize. Mrs. Naomi Greenberg and family members of the late Professor J. Mayo Greenberg, the distinguished Leiden astrophysicist, have generously provided funds for this scholarship in memory of Professor Greenberg. Additional funding provided by the Kruytbosch Legacy, the Leids Universiteitfonds and Leiden Observatory will enable the Scholarship Prize to be awarded annually. The purpose of the prize is to provide an opportunity for a talented graduate student to carry out research and/or receive education at Leiden Observatory in one or more of the fields that were of interest to Professor Greenberg. These include: * Laboratory astrophysics, * Dust in the early Universe, * Dust in the Milky Way and other galaxies * Comet formation, * Origin of life. Although applications will be considered from the whole world, preference will be given to applicants resident in developing countries. Candidates should have sufficient educational background in the field to benefit from attendance at graduate courses or participation in the research. The Scholarship Prize will support a visit to Leiden for a maximum duration of 9 months. In very exceptional circumstances there may be a possibility of extending the visit for a longer period. Applications for the 2009 Prize should be received before 30 November 2008. These should include (i) a curriculum vitae, with details of relevant background, (ii) a statement containing the purpose for which the grant is requested and (iii) a motivation for the request. Applicants should arrange for 2 - 3 references to be sent under separate cover. Applications should be addressed to: Professor G.K. Miley, Chairman, Selection Committee, J. Mayo Greenberg Scholarship Prize, Sterrewacht, Postbus 9513, 2300 RA Leiden, THE NETHERLANDS Applications can also be sent via email to drost@strw.leidenuniv.nl, with the relevant documentation as attachments in MSWord, latex, pdf or postcript format. The results of the selection will be announced on or before 31 December 2008. ********************************************************************