Documents: CTF White Papers

The SIRTF Community Task Force White Papers

Please be aware that some of the quantitative aspects of the following White Papers, especially those directly relevant to SIRTF policies and schedules, have been modified since these papers were written in 1996-97. Nonetheless, the White Papers offer an insightful overview of the thinking that led to the current policies and schedules.

Legacy Science Program

"The Community Legacy Science Program for SIRTF"
(Clemens, Greenhouse, Thronson)

A description of SIRTF's Legacy Science Program, including information about the historical development of processes aimed at accommodating very large SIRTF investigations, the characteristics of Legacy Science projects that distinguish them from GO programs, the role of the community in shaping the LegSci Program and in developing suitable LegSci projects, and various options for implementing the LegSci Program.

General (Guest) Observer Programs

"The SIRTF Guest Observer Program"
(Beichman, McCarthy, Jones)

A description of the SIRTF General Observer program, with information pertaining to the scope of the GO program, the process of proposing GO investigations, the relationship of these observations to the GTO programs, a specification of the required planning and proposal submission tools, and an overview of usable data products and policies relevant to data access rights.

Solar System Research

"Solar System Studies with SIRTF"
(Cruikshank, Hanner and others)

Report from the April 1996 SIRTF Solar System Working Group Workshop held in Pasadena. The paper includes three scientific programs that are thought to make suitable LegSci projects, an overview of other Solar System topics where SIRTF is likely to make significant contributions, and a discussion of various operational issues, including the challenge of scheduling and tracking moving targets.

Targets of Opportunity

"SIRTF Target of Opportunity Observation Strategies"
(Woodward, Gehrz and others)

A paper describing the scientific importance of accommodating Target of Opportunities (ToO) research within the SIRTF operational concepts. The paper provides detailed examples of the types of ToO investigations likely with SIRTF, including: extragalactic supernovae, classical novae, dwarf novae, comets, and multiwavelength observations of flaring quasars.

Archival Research

"The SIRTF Archive and Data System"
(Bicay, Christian)

This 1999 paper describes how SIRTF and the SSC intends to implement a vigorous and productive archival research program consistent with guidelines established by NASA advisory groups and the scientific community.