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SIM Newsletter
" F R I N G E S "
Space Interferometry Mission Newsletter
Number 45, August 23, 2008
CONTENTS
1. SIM Science Studies - 19 awards announced!
2. SIM Science Studies - Workshop, Sep 24-25, 2008
3. Proposals for NASA time on the Keck Telescopes for Feb-Jul 2009
4. Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP)
1. SIM Science Studies - 19 awards announced!
The SIM Science Studies proposal call closed on June 13, and selections were announced on July 21 by NASA's Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI). A total of 19 studies were selected, after review by an independent panel. For some of the background to this important event, please refer to Newsletter 43.
You can view the proposal abstracts for all 19 proposals on the NExScI website:
http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMSciStudies/accepted.html
These studies are a major event for the SIM Lite project. The sheer number of exciting programs to be studied is a strong indication that the planned Guest Observer (GO) call for SIM observing time will attract a lot of attention. And that there is a wealth of interesting science in precision astrometry with SIM Lite, in addition to the Key Projects which were chosen when the Science Team was competitively selected in 2000. While there is no award of SIM Lite observing time associated with these studies, they will allow interested astronomers to lay the groundwork for the most effective use of time in a future observing time call.
2. SIM Science Studies - Workshop, Sep 24-25, 2008
The Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) will host a workshop in Pasadena on SIM-lite for awardees from the recent SIM Science Studies (see (1) above). The Workshop is intended to serve as an introduction to to SIM Lite - instrument performance and operations, current plans from the SIM Science Team, and summaries of the objectives of the new Science Studies Teams. The Workshop is open, subject to available space, to the wider astronomical community interested in SIM Lite, and precision astrometry.
The workshop will be held Sept 24 & 25, at the Pasadena Sheraton. More information, including registration info, may be found on the Workshop website:
http://msc.caltech.edu/conferences/2008/SSSW/
By the way, the Michelson Science Center (MSC) now has a new name - the Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) - see (4) below.
3. Proposals for NASA time on the Keck Telescopes for Feb-Jul 2009
*due on September 8, 2008 at 4pm PDT*
Dear Colleague,
NASA is soliciting proposals using the Keck Telescopes for the 2009A observing semester (Feb 2009 - Jul 2009). NASA intends the use of the Keck telescopes to be highly strategic in support of on-going missions and/or high priority, long term science goals. Thus NASA Headquarters has opened up the NASA Keck call to a wider range of disciplines beginning with the 2009A semester. A portion of the NASA Keck Time will be dedicated to CoRoT Key Science proposals. This call includes proposals for the Key Science as well as proposals in the following discipline areas: 1) Investigations in support of Exoplanet Exploration science goals and missions; 2) Investigations in support of Cosmic Origins science goals and missions; 3) Investigations of our own solar system; and 4) Direct mission support. The proposal process is being handled by the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI, formerly the Michelson Science Center) at Caltech and all proposals are due on September 8, 2008 at 4pm PDT.
In order to determine a rough volume of and topic range of proposals, we ask that you send a notice of intent to KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu. The notices are not binding and not required in order to propose for 2009A time. Feel free to copy and use the template below:
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I plan to apply for 2009A NASA Keck Telescope time. I understand that this notice of intent is non-binding and in no way obligates me to submit a proposal.
PI Name:
PI Institution:
Intended Topic: (Choose 1: Exoplanet, Solar System,
Stellar/Galactic, Extra-Galactic, CoRoT Key Science)
Approximate Number of Desired Nights:
Desired Instrument:
Multi-semester status: Y/N
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Please see the website at http://msc.caltech.edu for further information on both the Key Science and general science telescope proposals.
Regards,
Dr. Dawn Gelino
4. Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP)
As part of a reorganization of the NASA Astrophysics Division (Division Director is Jon Morse), the Navigator Program has been renamed the Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP). At the same time, the Michelson Science Center (MSC) is now the the Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI). The Program Manager continues to be Michael Devirian at JPL.
The Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) is NASA's program to explore neighboring stars for planets that may be orbiting around them, to characterize these exoplanets and to search for signs of life evidenced by observable constituents in their atmospheres. To do this, ExEP conducts a diverse scientific research program to help develop testable theories of how exoplanets form, to study the environments around the stars in which planets form and evolve, and to conduct new observations of exoplanets from space telescopes designed specifically to make these difficult observations. ExEP also conducts a vigorous program of technology development at universities, NASA centers and industry to enable new capabilities in exoplanet science from future space missions.
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Steve Unwin, Editor stephen.unwin'at'jpl.nasa.gov
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