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February 19, 2009 CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR UC KECK TELESCOPE TIME Second Semester 2009: 09B (August 2009 through January 2010) Proposals are due on March 13, 2009 Please see http://www.ucolick.org/keckobs/keckinstructions.html for instructions on using the on-line process. The application process will end promptly at 5:00 P.M. on Friday, March 13, 2009. We will use the Official Time Clock: http://www.time.gov/timezone.cgi?Pacific/d/-8/java. Keck is continuing the login-password system to allow you to retrieve and modify your coversheets. This also allows you to load coversheets from previous years. Returning observers should use the same account information as last semester. There is a reminder option for you, if you have forgotten your password. New observers may request an account from the login page. At the present time we expect roughly 111 nights total on Keck I and Keck II. The schedule for the period August 1 through January 31 (09B) will be ready around June 1. Proposals for 2010A and 2010B will be due September 11, 2009 and March 12, 2010, respectively. Please see the Instruments Available web page for detailed notes on the current instruments: http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/observing/instavail.html. Special notes for this semester follow: Through an exchange with Gemini Observatory, we are again offering a few classically scheduled nights with MICHELLE and NIRI at Gemini North or with T-ReCS, the MICHELLE equivalent at Gemini South. See Gemini site: http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/instrumentIndex.html NIRC on Keck I and NIRSPAO on Keck II will be available for one run this semester if the science requests warrant this. The exact timing of the runs will depend on the science requests. NIRSPAO nights may be either LGS or NGS science. Be specific if you wish to apply for these nights. All LGS proposals must include a backup program for the use when the laser is down. LGS-AO: Approximately 23 nights of LGS-AO science will be supported if highly rated proposals warrant this. Appropriate backup programs must be specified along with your LGS proposals. Backup programs may be NGS or non-AO NIRSPEC. NIRC2 will be off-sky from approximately mid-October through mid-November for a servicing mission. Up to seven nights of interferometer V^2 science and/or Nuller science will be available to the community. The number of runs and time during the semester will be determined by the science requests. Please read this paragraph:The principal consideration in evaluating proposals will be the scientific merit of the proposed project. Projects which take maximum advantage of the unique capability of the Keck Telescopes will be given high weight. A brief description should be given of backup programs that will be carried out if conditions are not suitable for the primary program. Linked to this page are GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING UC KECK PROPOSALS that specify what should be contained in the proposal. Please read and follow these Guidelines. The page limits will be strictly enforced, and TAC members are not obligated to read beyond the stated limit. The coversheet form is available through the Keck Observer Login webpage. Information from the coversheet will be gathered in a secure database at Keck Observatory to assist in telescope scheduling, support, and assignment. Please attach your scientific justification. Sincerely, Michael Bolte, Director |
