Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2004 10:35:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Spitzer Science Center HelpDesk <help@spitzer.caltech.edu>
Subject: SIRTF: New memo for Solar System Observers



Dear Solar System Spitzer Observers,

If you are unaffected by the current loss of HORIZONS
services for potential Spitzer solar system target
observing proposals please disregard this email.

We currently have no new information on the status of
HORIZONS services. If we learn anything new we will let
you know ASAP.


Deadline for Spitzer Proposals: February 14 12:00 PST.


If the last minute details of your observation planning
will be affected by the loss of HORIZON services, e.g.
range/brightness/phase information for your potential
targets, please proceed as follows to finalize your
Technical Plan, observation planning and final submission
of your complete proposal.


The Proposal:
1. Explain the technical details of your observations
in the Technical Plan and include the range of uncertainties
in the Spitzer observations for incomplete target
parameter information. Again, you need only do this if
you are affected by the HORIZONS outage.


Observation Planning:
2. If your observing parameters (frame time, peak-up, etc)
are uncertain, create AORs with your best estimate of
the parameters to use.

3. If Spot does not have access to the ephemeris file
for your target, to calculate AOR durations only, use a
fixed target or moving target for which we have an ephemeris,
and create a 'dummy AOR' by filling in all the appropriate
observing parameters as if the target was your target, and
have Spot calculate the AOR duration. The difference in total
duration for this AOR and your real AOR will not be very much.
Keep track of these AOR durations by hand. You will NOT submit
such 'dummy' AORs with your proposal. Again, this step simply
helps you estimate the total hours you will need to request.


Submitting the full proposal:
4. Your final set of AORs that you submit with your
proposal MUST contain the correct targeting information
(i.e. NAIF ID) and your best estimate as to the most
appropriate observing parameters to use. That is, they
should be real AORs except that they may not have
an AOR duration.

Spot will transfer to the SSC all the AORs in the AOR window
when you submit your proposal or update the AORs part of your
proposal. Be sure this final set is correct (i.e. remove
any 'dummy AORs' used for timing estimates). The AORs do not
need to have a duration if we do not have access to one or
more ephemeris files for your targets. Spot will transfer
the AORs anyway. (It will indicate some AORs have out of
date resource estimates. Simply continue with the submission.)

5. In the Hours Requested box of the Proposal Tool,
enter the full hours requested, even if some AORs have
no resource estimates.

6. If your Spitzer proposal is approved the SSC will
review your proposal's technical information in regards
to any modifications necessary to finalize AORs for
scheduling.

If you have any questions just let us know at the Spitzer Helpdesk
(help@spitzer.caltech.edu).

cheers,
Spitzer Observer Support