AGU Planetary Sciences

The Planetary Sciences Section of AGU is seeking nominations for the Ronald Greeley Early Career Award in Planetary Science. This award is presented annually to an individual in recognition of significant early career contributions to planetary science.

The award is named for Planetary Scientist Ronald Greeley. Ron was a planetary science pioneer whose contributions include the rigorous application of terrestrial field observation techniques to analysis of planetary surfaces. He was involved in nearly every major planetary science mission from the 70s until his death in 2011. He was active in his service to the Planetary Science community, serving on and chairing many panels for both NASA and the National Academy of Sciences. But perhaps his greatest legacy to Planetary Science are the students, postdocs and colleagues he mentored through the decades. Many of the leaders of our field were either directly mentored by Ron, or strongly influenced by his work. He was happiest when sharing his passion for geology with students in the field. It is this passion for planetary science that the Section hopes to encourage and reward with the Ronald Greeley Early Career Award.

Nominees must be a member or affiliate of the AGU Planetary Sciences Section and must be within six years of receiving their Ph.D. on the first day of the year in which the award is to be made (i.e., on or after 1 January 2006 for the 2012 award.) Parental leave, if provided by the candidate's institution and taken by the nominee during this six-year period, can extend the six-year period.

All documents included in a nomination package should be no more than two (2) pages in length. Nominations should include:

• A nomination letter outlining the candidate's significant contributions;
• The candidate's curriculum vitae;
• A selected bibliography for the candidate, which should begin by briefly stating the candidate’s total number and types of publications and specifying the number published in AGU publications; and
• A minimum of three but no more than six letters of support – preferably on letterhead. At least two supporting letters should be from individuals not currently or recently associated with the candidate’s institution of graduate education or employment.

Nomination packages must be submitted by the deadline in electronic form (preferred as one combined PDF file) to Phil Christensen or in hard copy to:

Phil Christensen
Arizona State University
School of Earth and Space Exploration
Campus Box 6305
Tempe, AZ 85287-6305 USA

Phone: +1-480-865-7105

Deadline: April 30, 2013.

The Whipple Award was established in 1989 to honor an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of planetary science. The award is named after Fred Whipple, a gifted astronomer most noted for his work on comets. Whipple was an AGU Fellow elected in 1962 and the Section's first Whipple Award honoree in 1990. Whipple passed away in 2004. His many accomplishments are described in this CfA Press Release.

Past Awardees have spanned the breadth and depth of the planetary sciences section.

Nominations are accepted at any time, but reviewed annually in the summer. Nomination packages must be received by the deadline. Packages should include a current CV and publications list for the nominee, and a nomination letter outlining the candidate's significant contributions. The nomination should be accompanied by three to six supporting letters from members of the section.

Send nomination packages to:

Phil Christensen
Arizona State University
School of Earth and Space Exploration
Campus Box 6305
Tempe, AZ 85287-6305 USA

Phone: +1-480-865-7105
E-mail: phil.christensen@asu.edu

Deadline: May 31, 2013.

AGU has a diverse program for recognizing members and others who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the geophysical sciences, to the service of the community, and to the public's understanding.

For AGU Union Medals, Awards and Fellows nominations please refer to the AGU Honors page for further information.

Visit AGU Awards & Honors for complete details.