2. WIYN Observing Program Application Instructions

Applying for WIYN observing time requires submitting a regular NOAO observing proposal form with a completed Target Tables page giving the observing details of your program.

These forms can be acquired at http://www.noao.edu/noaoprop /.

Proposers will be told how to submit MOS/Hydra fiber configuration data after the proposal review process is completed.

Questions about the application process should be directed to the NOAO SCience OPErations office (noaoprop-help@noao.edu).

2.1. Important Notes for the NOAO Proposal Form

  1. If you are applying for Long Program observations, specify "WIYN" as the telescope.
  2. If you are applying for Short Program observations, specify "WIYN---2hr" as the telescope.
  3. Short Program scientific justifications should be a half page or less in length, and you are limited to 2 hours of telescope time (including observing overheads).
  4. Please remember that each WIYN--2hr proposal that you submit MUST be scientifically distinct from all other WIYN--2hr proposals that you may have submitted for this semester. i.e., we will not accept multiple WIYN--2hr proposals from an investigator or group of investigators that propose similar science.

2.2. Important Notes for the WIYN Target Tables

Please remember that we need enough information to evaluate your program fairly during the TAC process. But also keep in mind that if you are allocated queue time, you will get the chance to submit a WIYNQ observing form, giving more information if necessary. So be as brief as possible without selling your program short.

Explicit and detailed instructions on how to execute your program are not needed initially. Programs which adhere to the published Imager, MOS/Hydra, and DensePak default operation and calibration procedures do not have to provide additional commentary in the proposal. However, if your proposed program requires significantly different observing procedures, please explain why in the Technical Description section of the proposal. Please review the observing overheads page for further information.

If your program requires a specific set of objects, you must clearly justify this in the Science Justification section of the main proposal form. For example, you may need to observe M15 to test your hypothesis, and no other globular cluster will do. However, if you are awarded time in the queue but with relatively low grade, your objects may set before we make enough progress on higher ranked programs to schedule your program.

On the other hand, many programs do not require specific objects but want to observe a representative set. For example, you would like to observe four Abell clusters but it doesn't matter which four clusters are observed. An example fictional sample (e.g. "Cluster A, Cluster B, Cluster C, etc.") complete with typical instrument configuration information (filters, gratings, required exposure times, number of exposures, etc.) must be specified in the Target Tables. You should state clearly in the Scientific Justification section of the NOAO proposal form why your sample needs to be the size you propose. If you are allocated queue observing time, you will be asked to submit your real sample when (and if) your program is scheduled. However, if your mid-semester object selection conflicts with objects and instrument configurations in a different program specifically reviewed by the TAC, you will be asked to select a different target or justify why we should repeat the observation. Also, your revised program will have to fit within the amount of time you are allocated. Note that some sample flexibility will increase the probability that programs with lower TAC grades will be executed since they must be scheduled around programs with higher grades.

All WIYNQ forms and revised WIYN Target Tables submitted after WIYN observing time is allocated are subject to review and approval of the KPNO Director.

A note to Hydra proposers: you DO NOT have to specify the celestial coordinates of every object in every configuration in your Target Tables. You merely have to tell us the approximate celestial coordinates of the field center for each proposed configuration.

It is important that you specify a PER EXPOSURE data quality figure-of-merit in the technical design section of the proposal and in any subsequent WIYNQ form submitted (i.e., a quantitative measure of whether an individual exposure has met your technical goal). Example figures-of-merit include:

Your figure-of-merit could be some combination of these examples or something else entirely. Please be specific.

MOS/Hydra and DensePak twilight sky observations are important for radial velocity calibration and potentially for other programs. If your MOS/Hydra or DensePak program requires that twilight sky observations through all fibers be obtained at dusk and/or dawn for calibration purposes, you should request these observations in the technical description section of the proposal.

We will NOT automatically observe spectrophotometric and radial velocity standards for MOS/Hydra and DensePak programs. You should note that you will require standards in the technical description section of the proposal and include an overhead estimate for each observation in your time request. Full information on standards (or choice of standards) you wish to have observed needs to be included on the WIYNQ form if this information is not explicitly included in your submitted proposal.

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Last Updated: 3/5/99, wiynq@noao.edu