Reserved Observations Catalog (ROC)

The Spitzer Reserved Observations Catalog V9.2

NB: Leopard is the best, easiest way to search the ROC for targets.

What is the ROC?

The Spitzer Reserved Observations Catalog (ROC) is defined to be the set of of detailed approved observations for Spitzer, including General Observers programs, the Guaranteed Time Observers programs, the First Look Survey (and other DDT programs), and the Legacy Science programs.

In general the SSC will not allow a duplication of observations listed in the ROC. Refer to the Spitzer Observing Rule #2 for details on what constitutes a candidate for duplication of observations.

The ROC is dynamic, representing the set of planned and executed observations at any time. Leopard is better to use for ROC searches because it accesses the real-time database of planned and executed Spitzer observations. There is a blackout period for major modifications to the ROC between the release of the Call for Proposals (August 15, 2007 in Cycle-5) and the proposal due date (November 16, 2007 in Cycle 5).

Search the ROC

Leopard is available for download as part of Spitzer Pride, and there is also a User's Guide. Once you have Leopard running, select "By Position" from the "Query" menu or type Ctrl+U. There you can enter the name of the target and any additional info, resolve the coordinates of the target using NED or SIMBAD, and click "OK". A list of AORs queried from the archive will then be loaded into the Leopard window, and you will be able to see the status of the observation, the date the data was released into the archive, and the date the observation was scheduled. You will be able to download the data if they are not proprietary. Note that the AOR Status field value of "available" means "available for scheduling," not "the data are available." If the data have been observed and released into the archive, the status is "nominal." If the data are publicly accessible, then Leopard will show you the wavelengths of data that are available for download.

Download the ROC

Note: These files represent a snapshot of the database and do not contain any observations added or modified in the database after the files were created.

• There is a file for Fixed Targets and one for Moving Targets.
• There is still a list of the full program titles and principal investigators.

• Still want to know more about each program? See the Approved Programs page for links to everyone's abstracts.

How & when to use the ROC

Pictures of & stats on the ROC

Notes on the ROC

Information regarding IERs in the ROC

Other Relevant Documents

• Spitzer Observer's Manual (SOM)
• Current Call for Proposals
• Spitzer Observing Rules (in the context of the ROC, you might be specifically interested in Section 2 on Duplicate Observations)
• Spot User's Guide
• Spitzer Reserved Observations Catalog (ROC) (this page), which is most easily searched via Spot or Leopard, the Spitzer archive tool.