Haiku Contest

Winners

First Place

Pitted crater floors:
Places permeated by
Perplexing pingos?

Mr. D. Benjamin Boatwright
Abstract #1438, "Pitted Crater Floors in the Circum-Hellas Region, Mars: New Insights into Possible Glacial Origins from Pit Depth Measurements" , B. D. Boatwright, J. W. Head

Second Place

Mantle and metal mingle
Across the solar System
A tale of diversity.

Supratim Dey
Abstract #2428, "Diversity of Pallasites in the Early Solar System" , S. Dey, Q.-Z. Yin

Third Place

Water running in
Veins of Mars dried and drowned in
Heartbeats of seasons.

Ms. Debarati Das
Abstract #2172, "Understanding the Formation Stages of Evaporites in Gale Crater Using Thermochemical Modeling" , D. Das, S. M. R. Turner, P. J. Gasda, S. P. Schwenzer, J. Palandri, M. H. Reed, L. Crossey, R. J. Leveille, K. Berlo, J. Frydenvang

Fourth Place

Bepi swingby 1
M-CAM, M-saw, M-conquered
Next swingby in June.

Ms. Valentina Galluzzi
Abstract #2541, "Georeferenced M-Cam Images of the First BepiColombo Mercury Swingby" , V. Galluzzi, J. Wright, D. A. Rothery, E. Simioni, J. Zender, J. Benkhoff, G. Cremonese

Fifth Place

Impact debris hits
Different on binaries.
A smashing result!

Ms. Jennifer Larson
Abstract #2950, "Mapping Possible Surface Distributions of Eject Created by the DART Impact Using the Rebound Ejecta Dynamics Package" , J. N. Larson, G. Sarid, Y. R. Fernandez

Honorable Mentions

Manganese nodules
Show Groken was once scenic
Lakefront property.

Dr. L Nina Lanza
Abstract #2689, "Precipitation of Mn-Bearing Nodules in a Shallow Shoreline Environment in Gale Crater, Mars" , N. L. Lanza, P. J. Gasda, E. Swanner, W. W. Fischer, A. H. Treiman, A. Essunfeld, J. Comellas, A. J. Williams, E. B. Rampe, P.-Y. Meslin, C. H. House, R. Hazen, S. Schwenzer

Fog, gently drifting
Across Titan’s hazy sky.
We contemplate why.

Elena Romashkova
Abstract #1102, "Analysis of Transient Fog Features on Titan" , E. A. Romashkova, P. Corlies, J. Tan, J. Kelland, J. M. Soderblom

The volatile loops:
Mantle, surface, atmosphere —
The code just crashed. Oops.

Dr. Iris van Zelst
Abstract #1027, "Exploring Feedbacks Between the Interior and Atmosphere of Venus: CO2 and H2O" , I. van Zelst, A. C. Plesa, C. Brachmann, D. Breuer

Born under pressure
A new martian mineral
The first synthesis.

Dr. B Kelsey Prissel
Abstract #1164, "Synthesis and Stability of Feiite with Implications for Its Formation Conditions in Nature" , K. B. Prissel, Y. Fei, T. A. Strobel

All LPSC abstract summaries in haiku format have been automatically entered in the contest.
A panel of skilled and literate judges will select the top four haiku accompanying accepted abstracts (oral and poster). These top four poets will receive awards to be presented during the conference.

All abstract summaries in haiku format are eligible, except those submitted by the haiku judges.

Criteria for Judging Haiku:

The abstract summary should be in the general classic form of haiku (or senryu or zappai): three lines only, with syllable counts of 5-7-5. Small variants (e.g., 5-9-5) are acceptable (e.g., Kimo), consistent with the current state of English haiku. Other verse forms, like limericks, are not eligible.
Each haiku must serve its practical purpose: with the abstract title, it must tell the reader what to expect in the abstract. Here's an unapologetic example from LPSC a few years ago.

High Radar Reflectivity on Venus' Highlands: Different Signatures on Ovda Regio and Maxwell Montes," E. Harrington, A. H. Treiman. Abstract #2713.

The hills grow brighter
As you climb, but the summits
Remain in darkness.
Bonus points for literary values and maturity in construction, including for examples: consistent meter, rhyming, alliteration, ambiguity and shades of meaning, and/or humor or puns.

A characteristic of the best haiku is a "punch", a jolt, or an unexpected turn (in Japanese - kireji), one that might bring seemingly unrelated ideas to meaningful context. An example for our Antarctic meteorite hunters is a slightly modified version of a classic from the Japanese master Issa-sama:

from the esteemed nose
of the esteemed Buddha –
a snotsicle