2011 Semester 2 Call for 'shared risk' SALT proposals using RSS and SALTICAM (CLOSED)

While commissioning is still continuing with SALT and its first-light instruments, progress is good. By the time 2011 Semester 2 (1 Sep 2011 - 28 Feb 2012) observations begin we expect that the major instrument modes for both RSS and SALTICAM will have been successfully commissioned and their performances will be well characterized. This is an ongoing process and as we obtain information on performance characteristics, from analysis of commissioning data, these will be posted on the SALT web page.

Long-slit, Fabry-Perot and MOS modes are expected to be commissioned by the end of August 2011. We hope to progress with other modes too during this time (e.g. high time resolved modes), but some may only be finally commissioned during Semester 2.

We are accepting proposals for all RSS instrument modes, however PIs should be aware that modes other than Long-slit, Fabry-Perot and MOS will have less chance of actually being observered during 2011 Semester 2. Please note that all observations will be conducted on a best efforts basis during 2011 Semester 2.


Proposal call for 2011 Semester 2

1.    This proposal call is for both SALTICAM and RSS on a "best efforts" basis (i.e. no guarantees regarding performance or completion).

2.    Observing time for this call will be charged to all SALT partners, who will have observing allocations in proportion to their shareholding.

3.    RSS Long Slit spectroscopy (LS) is close to being fully commissioned and significant progress has been made on Fabry-Perot imaging spectroscopy (FP) and Multi Object Spectroscopy (MOS). However, some of the other RSS instrument modes (nod & shuffle, polarimetry, high speed) will only be commissioned later and possibly extending into Semester 2. We welcome proposals for all RSS instrument modes, however PIs should be aware that currently uncommissioned modes will have less chance of actually being observered during 2011 Semester 2.

4.    For SALTICAM proposals, we expect all instrument modes to be available, although not all modes are yet fully characterized.

5.    SALTICAM science commissioning and verification is on-going. While there are some existing proposals selected for this purpose, we are happy to consider ad-hoc SALTICAM proposals at any time, if they exercise particular instrument capabilities not covered by existing accepted commissioning proposals. New commissioning proposals (which are not charged) should be focused on delivering a quick definitive result that aids the commissioning. All such observations will be expected to be completed before the beginning of Semester 2.
Please contact the instrument PI, Darragh O'Donoghue, or the Astronomy Operations Director, David Buckley, in this regard.

6.    The call for 2011 Semester 2 (1 Sep - 28 Feb) observing proposals opened on 30 JUNE 2011.

The Phase I proposal tool is available from the WM for PIs to complete and submit proposals. Note that the Phase I proposals contain mainly information for the Time Assignment Committees (TACs) and no details on the instrument set up or observing details need to be completed at this time. The Phase I tool allows users to enter the basic proposal information (e.g. names, affiliations, conditions, targets, instruments, time requested). In addition several text inputs are required, which include:
a.    scientific rationale (<1000 words; optional for some TACs)
b.    immediate objectives (<250 words; mainly to assist the SALT Astronomer)
c.    technical justification (<500 words)

More details can be found here.

7.    The FIRM deadline for Phase I submission is 15 JULY 2011 at midnight SAST (i.e. 2 weeks from the proposal call) - to be precise: 15th July 2011 at 23:59:59 SAST (ie 21:59:59 UTC).

Following submission, the proposals will be forwarded to the respective partner TACs, together with summary and statistical information (e.g. total times requested, conditions requested, target distributions).

8.    The TACs will complete their assessments and assign time to the proposals by 7 AUGUST 2011.

This information is sent back to SALT Astronomy Operations and PIs will be informed of their time allocations.

9.    The Phase II proposal process will begin following the TAC decisions. PIs will then use the Phase II proposal tool to define in detail the required instrument configurations, and observing details (observing blocks, etc), for their observations.

10.    The Phase II proposals should to be submitted by 31 AUGUST 2011 for observations to be scheduled for Semester 2 which begins in September.

11.    For this first ever semester of charged science time, it is requested that PIs consider keeping their proposals simple and less ambitious.