Division for Planetary Sciences

Division for Planetary Sciences. The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) is a division of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), established in 1968 to promote the advancement of planetary science and related fields, such as astrobiology, astronomy, and space exploration. The DPS is affiliated with various organizations, including the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the European Space Agency (ESA). The division's members include renowned scientists, such as Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, who have made significant contributions to the field of planetary science.

● Introduction

The Division for Planetary Sciences is dedicated to the study of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects in our solar system and beyond. The division's members are involved in various research activities, including the study of Mars with the help of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, the exploration of the outer planets using Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, and the search for exoplanets using Kepler Space Telescope and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The DPS also collaborates with other organizations, such as the Planetary Society, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and the Royal Astronomical Society, to promote the advancement of planetary science. Notable scientists, such as James Van Allen, Frank Drake, and Seth Shostak, have been involved in the division's activities, including the search for extraterrestrial life using SETI Institute.

● History

The Division for Planetary Sciences was established in 1968, during a time of significant advancements in space exploration, including the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon and the launch of Pioneer 10 to Jupiter. The division's early members included scientists such as Harold Urey, Gerard Kuiper, and Eugene Shoemaker, who made important contributions to the field of planetary science. The DPS has since grown to include over 1,000 members from around the world, including scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the European Southern Observatory, and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. The division has also been involved in various international collaborations, such as the International Space Exploration Coordination Group and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).

● Membership

Membership in the Division for Planetary Sciences is open to anyone with an interest in planetary science, including scientists, engineers, students, and educators. The division's members come from a variety of institutions, including Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, University of Arizona, and University of California, Berkeley. Members of the DPS have access to various resources, including the division's newsletter, DPS Newsletter, and the AAS Job Register. The division also offers various awards and grants, such as the DPS Fellowship and the Harold C. Urey Prize, to support the research and career development of its members. Notable members of the DPS include Alan Stern, Hal Levison, and Heidi Hammel, who have made significant contributions to the field of planetary science.

● Meetings_and_Publications

The Division for Planetary Sciences holds an annual meeting, which brings together scientists and engineers from around the world to present their research and discuss the latest developments in planetary science. The meeting features various sessions, including oral presentations, poster presentations, and workshops, on topics such as planetary formation, exoplanet atmospheres, and asteroid defense. The division also publishes a newsletter, DPS Newsletter, which includes articles, news, and announcements related to planetary science. The DPS is also affiliated with various journals, including Icarus (journal), The Astronomical Journal, and The Astrophysical Journal, which publish research papers on planetary science and related topics. The division's meetings and publications are supported by various organizations, including NASA's Planetary Science Division, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the European Space Agency (ESA).

● Awards_and_Honors

The Division for Planetary Sciences offers various awards and honors to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of planetary science. The division's awards include the Harold C. Urey Prize, which is awarded to outstanding young scientists in planetary science, and the Gerald P. Kuiper Prize, which is awarded to scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of planetary science. The DPS also offers various grants and fellowships, such as the DPS Fellowship and the AAS International Travel Grant, to support the research and career development of its members. Notable recipients of the division's awards include Carl Sagan, James Van Allen, and Frank Drake, who have made significant contributions to the field of planetary science. The division's awards are supported by various organizations, including NASA's Planetary Science Division, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Planetary Society.

● Research_and_Activities

The Division for Planetary Sciences is involved in various research activities, including the study of planetary formation, exoplanet atmospheres, and asteroid defense. The division's members are also involved in various space missions, including NASA's Mars 2020 and European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin rover, which are designed to explore the surface of Mars and search for signs of life. The DPS also collaborates with other organizations, such as the SETI Institute and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, to search for extraterrestrial life and to promote the advancement of planetary science. Notable research activities of the division include the study of Pluto using New Horizons and the exploration of the Kuiper Belt using Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. The division's research activities are supported by various organizations, including NASA's Planetary Science Division, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the European Space Agency (ESA).

● Governance

The Division for Planetary Sciences is governed by a committee of officers, including a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. The division's officers are elected by its members and serve for a term of two years. The DPS also has various committees, including the Awards Committee and the Membership Committee, which are responsible for overseeing the division's awards and membership programs. The division's governance is supported by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), which provides administrative and financial support to the DPS. The division's officers and committees work closely with other organizations, including NASA's Planetary Science Division, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the European Space Agency (ESA), to promote the advancement of planetary science. Notable officers of the DPS include Alan Stern, Hal Levison, and Heidi Hammel, who have made significant contributions to the field of planetary science. Category:Planetary science