Subject: DPS Mailing #97-08, 11 April 1997 Greetings, DPS Members- +------------------CONTENTS:-----------------------------+ |1) Leonard Martin 1930 - 1997 | |2) AGU Sessions of Interest to DPS Members | |3) CD-ROM available: Hubble Electronic Picturebooks | +--------------------------------------------------------+ 1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1---------1 Leonard J. Martin, a member of the DPS since January, 1976, died suddenly on April 7. We attach below a biography from colleagues who have worked with him on both his ground-based and space-based observations of the planet Mars over many years. Faith Vilas, for the DPS Committee ------- We regret to report that Leonard Martin, a long time member of the planetary sciences community, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on April 7. Just as Lowell Observatory is instinctively associated with the study of Mars, over the last two decades Mars research at Lowell was synonymous with Leonard Martin. Leonard began his observational career in the International Planetary Patrol, a globe-circling network of observatories which provided continuous photographic monitoring of Mars near its oppositions. During the late 1970's, Leonard coordinated ground based observations with several Viking global imaging sequences, revealing detailed structures for clouds and albedo features detected telescopically. As interest in Mars waned following Viking, Leonard was able to preserve Lowell's photographic record of Mars oppositions with the support of the National Geographic Society and continued the series of airbrushed albedo maps produced in collaboration with USGS. For the last several oppositions Leonard directed a series of multispectral CCD observations at Lowell Observatory, the most recent of which were obtained seven weeks ago. Although Leonard was a firm believer in the value of the historical record in providing a context for interpretation of spacecraft images, he always emphasized the temporal and geographical limitations and biases of telescopic as well as spacecraft data. He liked to have time to savor and assimilate new observations and was happiest professionally when he was pouring over Viking images or sets of telescopic photos. Such activities led at one time to his discovery of an unexpected group of dust storms in Echus Chasma and, later, to his careful compilation of the historical record of dust activity on Mars. Since 1990 Leonard was heavily involved in Hubble Space Telescope Mars observations and helped contribute to several discoveries based on the WFPC images. Leonard's many papers based on the photographic record revealed to many of us whose impressions of Mars were derived mainly from spacecraft images that the planet is a changing, dynamic system and that observations of a small group of years, however detailed, did not reveal its entire nature. His quiet, but persistent voice lent a tone of reality to many "Mars debates," and his contributions invariably helped to advance our understanding of Mars. His encouragement and mentoring of younger colleagues started many of us on our way to careers in Mars research. Leonard Martin finally was forced to surrender his active role at Lowell Observatory early this year because of health problems. He and his wife, Claudia, moved to Bend, Oregon, where the elevation and climate would be more beneficial to his health and he would still be able to participate in his favorite avocation, skiing. He was not giving up on active participation in HST and other programs, however, and was in the process of establishing Internet connectivity in Bend in order to preserve his active participation in Mars research. His familiarity with diverse groups of Mars data was unmatched, and his role in the community will not be easily filled. He was the last of a prestigious chain of telescopic observers of Mars at Lowell, and "his like will not soon be seen again." Leonard Martin will be deeply missed by all of us who were privileged to know and work with him. Phil James Jim Bell Todd Clancy Steve Lee 2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2---------2 AGU SESSIONS OF INTEREST TO DPS MEMBERS The following sessions at the Spring AGU meeting in Baltimore, May 27-30 1997, may be of interest to DPS members: Union Session U21A, Carl Sagan: His Pioneering Science and Current Studies of Life in Extreme Environments Planetology Session P22A, joint with Geodesy Section, in Honor of John A. O'Keefe, including discovery of the "pear-shaped" Earth, the Apollo Lunar Laser Ranging experiment, and the paradox of the tektites. Planetology Sessions P31A and P32A, on Galileo Investigations of the Icy Galilean Satellites. Some highlights and detailed programs of planetary sessions can be found on the AGU Planetology home page, http://www.agu.org/sections/planet/planet.html, or contact Bruce Campbell at campbell@ceps.nasm.edu. 3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3---------3 CD-ROM AVAILABLE: THE HUBBLE LIBRARY OF ELECTRONIC PICTUREBOOKS The "Exploration in Education" Special Studies Office of the Space Telescope Science Institute has recently released a CD-ROM which contains such electronic picturebooks as "Endeavour views the Earth," "Gems of Hubble," "The planetary system, "The impact catastrophe that ended the Mesozoic Era," and many more. It is both Macintosh and Windows-compatable, and comes with all software needed for viewing/listening. It is available for purchase through the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (390 Ashton AVe. San Francisco, CA 94112, 415-337-2624, and soon via the WWW at http://www.aspsky.org) or NASA's Central Operation of Resources for Educators (Lorain County Joint Vocational School, 15181 Rt. 58 South, Oberlin, OH 44074, 216-774-1051 ext 293). You can get further information from either of the above sources, or contact Robert A. Brown, who edited the disc, at rbrown@stsci.edu. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Nick Schneider, on behalf of the DPS Committee (submissions to Al Harris: awharris@lithos.jpl.nasa.gov)