Spitzer Observation Planning Workshop

Overview:

This free 4-hr tutorial-style workshop is intended for observers who wish to learn more about planning and specifying their observations for the Spitzer Space Telescope. The workshop instructors will be scientists from the Spitzer Science Center.

Spitzer is a space-borne, cryogenically-cooled infrared observatory, carrying three primary science instruments with imaging/photometry capabilities from 3-180 microns, spectroscopy over 5-40 microns, and spectrophotometry from 50-100 microns. Spitzer launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 25 August 2003. Following an initial in-orbit checkout and science validation period, Spitzer began normal operations in early December 2003. The first General Observer Call for Proposals has been issued, and the deadline for proposal submission is currently 14 February 2004.

The lecture component of the workshop will consist of an overview of the Spitzer spacecraft and instrumentation, with an emphasis on the very latest updates to instrument capabilities, and an introduction to planning tools available for observers, including SPOT (the Spitzer Observations Planning Tool). Specific examples of how to plan an observation, from selected target through to specification of instrument commanding, will be provided. Finally, participants will be given time to apply what they have learned in a hands-on session, with instructors available for questions and assistance. We will have internet connections for ~10 laptops available for workshop participants to enable hands-on experience with the planning software tools. If you would like to take advantage of this, please bring your laptop (DHCP enabled) with you.

Program:

Copies of all of the presentations given at the workshop are available here.

For examples of previous Spitzer (SIRTF) Observation Planning workshops, see the SSC Workshops Page.

Feedback:

Registration:

This workshop is entirely over and done with. Looking for a more recent workshop? Try the main SSC workshops page to look for a more recent workshop.

Registration Form

Interacting with SSC staff at the AAS:

Can't make the workshop? Have a specific question for us? SSC scientists and SPOT experts will be available for consultations at the Spitzer booth. We will also have network connections available; bring your questions and/or DHCP enabled laptops with SPOT installed for your own personal brief demos. We will also be running longer observation planning and proposal submission demos at the Spitzer booth (appropriate for several people to attend at once) throughout the AAS meeting; check the booth for the demo schedule.