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GENERAL INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES 
For Applicants Requesting NASA Observing Time at the Keck Observatory 


Dear Colleague: 

This document contains critical information for researchers applying for observing time using the NASA allocations on the Keck I and Keck II telescopes of the W. M. Keck Observatory (WMKO). Applications for observing during all of the 2008 season , which begins February 1, 2008, and continues through January 31, 2009, are due on September 24, 2007, 5 pm PDT. Note that this full year allocation departs from the previous practice of semester-by-semester allocation.

In the 2008 observing year (Semesters A and B), NASA will be allocating the majority of its available observing time on the Keck telescopes to the study of exo-zodiacal emission around nearby main sequence stars using the Keck Interferometer Nuller. This unique observing capability was one of the fundamental goals for the construction of the Keck Interferometer. Teams are specifically solicited to propose one-year observing programs with the Keck Interferometer Nuller to meet the scientific goals of this program; details on the capabilities of the nulling mode, the scientific goals of the program and the parameters of the call are available here. Contingent on available resources, limited funding may be available for data reduction and analysis.

With this one-year emphasis on using the Keck Interferometer Nuller, many fewer nights will be available for single-telescope (K1 or K2) or non-Key Science interferometry observing. This number is estimated to be ~6 nights total for K1 and K2 in semester 2008A, with a similar expectation for semester 2008B. In these semesters, single-telescope proposals will be considered for the standard four areas: detection of extrasolar planets, origin and nature of planetary systems, investigations of our own solar system, and mission support proposals, with priority given to extrasolar planets and time-critical solar system science. In 2009, single-telescope observations are anticipated to become the primary observing mode available to NASA users of the Keck telescopes. Potential single-telescope and non-Key Project interferometry proposers are encouraged to consider postponing all but the most scientifically compelling and/or time-critical observations until 2009.

Proposals received by the application deadline will be reviewed and ranked by the NASA Keck Telescope Allocation Committee. Single telescope proposals will use the online application process available at the MSC site. The proposals to the exo-zodiacal program are due on the same date, and the process is described in the Nulling Key Science Call. The committee will then submit its recommendations to the MSC Executive Director for selection and/or modification. The final selections will then be coordinated with WMKO for scheduling. Only conditional acceptances will be made for 2008B activities. Final acceptances can only be made in conjunction with WMKO when the final 2008B schedule that includes instrument and telescope availability is assembled from inputs from all the Keck partners.

The following informational material is available: 

NASA is being assisted by the MSC in the administrative and logistical work needed to support this observing program. In addition to myself at NASA Headquarters, you may phone Dawn Gelino, Keck Operations Scientist at the MSC at (626) 395-1845, or e-mail dawn@ipac.caltech.edu for additional information. 

We are looking forward to working with you on this important endeavor to achieve the goals of the Origins and the Solar System Exploration enterprises within the Office of Space Science.

Sincerely, 
Stephen Ridgway
Keck Observatory Program Scientist
Astronomy and Physics Division
Office of Space Science
NASA Headquarters
202/358-3859
stephen.t.ridgway@nasa.gov 

General Information for
Applicants for NASA-Allocated Observing Time 
on the Keck Telescopes

I. GUIDELINES FOR ALLOCATION OF NASA KECK TELESCOPE TIME

The NASA fraction of the Keck telescope time is to be used to support programs of interest to NASA for exploration of phenomena, within our solar system and in others, dealing primarily with the discovery and characterization of planetary systems and investigation of their origin and evolution. The allocated telescope time will be used for investigations within three science areas: detection of extrasolar planets, origin and nature of planetary systems, and investigation of our own solar system, in the order of priority.  A small number of nights may also be assigned in some semesters for observations providing critical support of space missions.  Within these broad guidelines, the allocation of time will be made based on scientific merit, availability of resources, and technical appropriateness. 

All proposals for use of NASA Keck time will be evaluated by a panel of scientists called the NASA Keck Telescope Allocation Committee (NASA/Keck TAC). In recognition of the three science areas that the NASA Keck time is expected to serve, the TAC membership is selected to assure balanced expertise in the areas of planet detection, characterization of planet formation processes, and general astronomy of our own solar system. The NASA solicitation of proposals and their evaluation by the NASA Keck TAC will be phased so as to provide the evaluation and ranking of proposals needed to meet the telescope scheduling requirements set by the Director of the Keck Observatory. 

Opportunity to propose as Principal Investigators (PIs) for the NASA time on the Keck Telescopes is open to all U.S.-based astronomers ("U.S.-based astronomers" have their principal affiliation at a U.S. institution). However, proposals from PIs with access to the Keck telescopes through other means (faculty and research scientists of the University of California system, Caltech, and the University of Hawaii) should indicate in their proposals how they are using any other Keck telescope time they have been awarded and why their proposed research requires time beyond the allocations available through their universities. 

In making requests for telescope time, proposers are advised to bear in mind that for 2008 NASA is allocating through the TAC only about 6 nights per semester summed over both telescopes. They should also understand that runs of more than a few contiguous nights are difficult to arrange. Similarly, proposals requesting less than full nights can ordinarily be accommodated only if they can be combined with another selected NASA proposal requiring the same instrument.

II. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

III. TARGET-OF-OPPORTUNITY PROPOSALS

The NASA TAC will consider target-of-opportunity proposals at any time. However, proposers should bear in mind that target-of-opportunity observations are very difficult to schedule and will usually require rescinding the allocation of an already-scheduled NASA observer. Consequently, a target-of-opportunity proposal should be submitted only in the case of a truly extraordinary opportunity that could not have been anticipated prior to the regular proposal deadline.
Letters of intent may be sent by e-mail, FAX, or surface mail to 
Dr. Stephen Ridgway
Keck Observatory Program Scientist
Astronomy and Physics Division
Office of Space Science
NASA Headquarters
202/358-3859
stephen.t.ridgway@nasa.gov

Dr. Dawn Gelino
Michelson Science Center
770 S. Wilson Ave., MC 100-22
Pasadena, CA 91125
Fax: 626/397-7181
dawn@ipac.caltech.edu

Responses to these letters of intent will be prepared. PIs will be contacted with specific instructions regarding the proposal submission and review process, which could change from one target-of-opportunity to the next.

IV. GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS


WebCurator & MSC Cognizant Official: Dawn Gelino