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What are Targets of Opportunity (ToOs)? |
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Targets of Opportunity (ToO) are transient phenomena whose exact timing
and/or location on the sky are uncertain at the time of the proposal
submission. They include objects that can be generically identified
before the onset of such phenomena (e.g., recurrent novae, variable stars)
and objects that cannot a priori be specifically identified (e.g., newly
discovered comets, novae, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts). Requests for
observations of these objects should be submitted through the normal General Observer proposal process in response to a Call for Proposals. Observations
of completely unanticipated phenomena can be requested through Director's Discretionary Time procedures.
Apart from the overhead burdens applied to all Spitzer observations, the SSC will impose no additional overheads on low-impact ToO observations. The SSC has developed separate calculations of Observatory overheads to be assessed against the high- and medium-impact categories of ToO observations. Current estimates of these special overhead burdens are included as part of Spot (click on the "Special" button in any AOT window) and are subject to change in future CPs. Because of the heavy impact that high-impact ToO observations will have on the short- and medium-term Spitzer schedule, no more than ten medium- and high-impact ToOs will be approved in Cycle-2. Rapid response ToOs that require a ~6 K telescope when MIPS is not already on and the telescope is already cold are unlikely to be accommodated. In general, the more disruptive the ToO observation is to normal Spitzer scheduling and operations, the stronger the scientific justification must be to approve the proposed observation. (See How Scheduling Works for more information.) Any ToO proposals seeking multiple-instrument observations on timescales shorter than the normal instrument campaign (5-14 days) will be assessed special overheads in observing time by the SSC. These overheads will reflect the observing time estimated to be lost to other programs if the approved ToO observations are activated, and will be factored into the proposal review conducted by the TAC.
After a ToO proposal is approved, a request for AOR activation must be electronically submitted to the SSC Director by the Principal Investigator (PI) via the SSC Helpdesk (help@spitzer.caltech.edu). Following the request for activation, the SSC will ascertain the feasibility of conducting the ToO observations, taking into account sky visibility and the schedule of Spitzer instrument campaigns. The observer will also submit a revised AOR, with precise coordinates and integration time. If the observations cannot be conducted on a schedule requested by the investigator, the SSC Director will consult with the PI on the scientific utility of later observations. The SSC Director must issue final approval for any high-impact ToO observations requiring an interruption of the onboard observing schedule. An approved ToO observation will be executed only in the event that the specified phenomenon actually occurs within the relevant observing cycle. If the triggering event for an approved ToO observation does not occur during the observing cycle, the AOR will be deactivated at the end of the cycle. In the event that a ToO observation expires without execution, the allotted observing time will be returned to the General Observer pool. Regulation of ObservationsThe SSC Director will rely on the recommendations of the Time Allocation Committee to assess the benefits of a proposed ToO observation against any disruptions to the efficient planning and scheduling of science observations with Spitzer. Because of the heavy impact that high-impact ToO observations will have on the short- and medium-term Spitzer schedule, no more than ten medium- and high-impact ToO observations will be approved and executed in any given Spitzer observing cycle.
Data Rights and Analysis FundingAs a type of General Observer program, data rights and funding policies for ToO observations are the same as for GOs.The SSC Director reserves the right to request early release of ToO data by the Principal Investigator when such a release is deemed to be of interest to the general public, as determined by the Director.
Go back to ToO page, or
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help@spitzer.caltech.edu http://ssc.spitzer.caltech.edu/geninfo/too/what.html
