National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Questions

1. Where is the Cycle 14 announcement ("Dear Colleague" letter)?
2. Can I propose for proprietary data in Cycle 14?
3. Can I propose for funds in Cycle 14?
4. What is the RXTE Cycle 14 "Core Program"?
5. I have suggestions for changes to a Core Program observation. What should I do?
6. How do I propose for Cycle 14?
7. What is the observation period for Cycle 14?
8. How do I propose a target for observation in Oct.-Dec. 2009 given that Cycle 14 starts Jan. 1, 2010?
9. 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 14 announcement ("Dear Colleague" letter)?

   This link gives the "Dear Colleague" letter released by NASA HQ outlining the proceedure for RXTE Cycle 14.

2. Can I propose for proprietary data in Cycle 14?

   No. All Cycle 14 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 14 Information Web page.

3. Can I propose for funds in Cycle 14?

   No. Like other recent RXTE Cycles, there are no funds available from the RXTE mission for Guest Observer support in Cycle 14.

4. What is the RXTE Cycle 14 "Core Program?"

   RXTE Cycle 14 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 14 Information Web page and submit a proposal to the Cycle 14 Open-Time Program.

6. How do I propose for Cycle 14?

   See our Cycle 14 Information Page.

7. What is the observation period for Cycle 14?

   For Cycle 14, both Core Program and Open-Time observations will begin on January 1, 2010. Currently, RXTE operations are funded only through September 30, 2010, making this the provisional end of Cycle 14. However, the RXTE team intends to accept more proposals than can be scheduled in the Jan.-Sept. 2010 time frame; the oversubscription allows for higher observing efficiency when scheduling targets, and provides a good start to a post-Sept. 2010 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 14 peer review will be observed. For more details, see our Cycle 14 Information Page

8. How do I propose a target for observation in Oct.-Dec. 2009, given that Cycle 14 starts Jan. 1, 2010?

   Use the RXTE "Request for Observation" form, to file a non-NRA Target of Opportunity observation. Please follow the instructions on the RXTE Targets of Opportunity Web page.

9. 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 11:10:32 EDT.