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. Spitzer has adopted a single-phase proposal submission process, in which science proposals must be accompanied by detailed observations generated by Spot (the Spitzer software for preparing observations and submitting proposals). This workshop will provide a primer on how to download and use Spot to plan observations and to prepare and submit a GO proposal. 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 2003 August 25. Following an initial in-orbit checkout and science validation period, Spitzer began normal operations in early December 2003. The first General Observing Cycle is underway, and the second General Observer Call for Proposals will be issued soon, and the deadline for proposal submission is currently 12 February 2004.

The lecture component of the workshop will consist of an overview of the Spitzer spacecraft and instrumentation, and an introduction to planning tools available for observers, including Spot (the Spitzer software for preparing observations and submitting proposals). Specific examples of how to plan an observation, from selecting targets to specification of instrument commanding, will be provided. Hands-on demonstration of Spot will be available at the Spitzer exhibit (see below). Workshop content will be tailored to the needs of the registered participants.

Agenda

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

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:

Want to put the lecture material from the workshop into practice? Can't make the workshop? Have a specific question for us? SSC scientists and Spot experts will be available for consultations at the Spitzer exhibit. We will 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. We will also have network connections available; bring your questions and/or DHCP enabled laptops with the latest version of Spot installed for your own personal brief demos.