National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Questions

1. Where is the Cycle 13 announcement ("Dear Colleague" letter)?
2. Can I propose for proprietary data in Cycle 13?
3. Can I propose for funds in Cycle 13?
4. What is the RXTE Cycle 13 "Core Program"?
5. I have suggestions for changes to a Core Program observation. What should I do?
6. How do I propose for Cycle 13?
7. What is the observation period for Cycle 13?
8. How do I fill out the proposal forms for a coordinated observation with times that are not yet determined?

Answers

1. Where is the Cycle 13 announcement ("Dear Colleague" letter)?

   This link gives the "Dear Colleague" letter released by NASA HQ outlining the proceedure for RXTE Cycle 13.

2. Can I propose for proprietary data in Cycle 13?

   No. All Cycle 13 data, both from the Core Program and proposed through the Open-Time Program, is immediately public. For more information see the RXTE GOF's Cycle 13 Information Web page.

3. Can I propose for funds in Cycle 13?

   No. Like other recent RXTE Cycles, there are no funds available from the RXTE mission for Guest Observer support in Cycle 13.

4. What is the RXTE Cycle 13 "Core Program?"

   RXTE Cycle 13 Core Program Web page.

5. I have suggestions for changes to a Core Program observation. What should I do?
   • If your suggestions are simply mode changes, based on intimate knowledge of the observations in question, please send them to the XTE GOF via our Feedback form
   
   
   • If you feel that different targets or a different observing strategy is needed, this constitutes a new proposal. Please follow our directions on the Cycle 13 Information Web page and submit a proposal to the Cycle 13 Open-Time Program.

6. How do I propose for Cycle 13?

   See our Cycle 13 Information Page.

7. What is the observation period for Cycle 13?

   Cycle 13 Core Program observations will begin on December 26, 2008. The nominal end of Cycle 12 observations is December 25, 2008, and this insures Core Program observations will continue without interruption. Observations accepted through the Open-Time Program will begin March 1. (This allows time for proposal submission and peer review.) Currently, RXTE operations are funded only through September 30, 2009, making this the provisional end of Cycle 13. However, the RXTE team intends to accept more proposals than can be scheduled in the March-Sept. 2009 time frame; the oversubscription allows for higher observing efficiency when scheduling targets, and provides a good start to a post-Sept. 2009 schedule, should the RXTE mission be extended. Note that this also means that the RXTE team cannot guarantee that all non-TOO targets accepted in the Cycle 13 peer review will be observed. For more details, see our Cycle 13 Information Page

8. How do I fill out the proposal forms for a coordinated observation with times that are not yet determined?

   Here's how to fill out the ARK/RPS Target Form for coordinated observations when when you don't yet know the dates of coordination:

   1. For the "Coordinated Observations?" question, select "U" for "unknown". This means the dates of coordination are currently unknown.
   2. For "Special Handling", which is next to "Coordinated Observations?" choose "N".
   3. Make sure the Start Time and Stop Time fields immediately following the above are blank. (If there is anything in them, this will cause conflict with the choice of "U" for unknown.)
   4. In the "Remarks" field directly above this, state how and when coordination will be determined. (E.g., "We are proposing simultaneous observations with RXTE and Chandra. Provided our proposals to both programs are accepted, the coordination times can be determined by the schedulers for both missions.") You should also briefly mention this info in your scientific justification.

This page is maintained by the RXTE GOF and was last modified on Wednesday, 24-Aug-2022 11:10:28 EDT.