For Professional Research Using the NASA Allocation for Telescope Observing Time at the W.M. Keck Observatory Proposals for NASA Keck time for observing semester 2013A (February 1 to July 31, 2013) are due Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 4 pm PDT. This call is now closed.

General Information and Guidelines for applying for NASA Keck Telescope Time - Observing Semester 2013A

• 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. The NASA Keck call is open to a wide range of disciplines spanning from exoplanets and solar system topics to galactic and extragalactic topics. Click here for more details.
• Frequently Asked Questions Page

Application Procedures for NASA Observing Time at the Keck Observatory

• The opportunity to propose as Principal Investigators for the NASA time on the Keck Telescopes is open to all U.S.-based astronomers ("U.S.-based astronomers" have their principal affiliation at a U.S. institution.)


• Online proposal submission site


• Questions? email: KeckCFP@ipac.caltech.edu

Supporting Information

• The following documents provide additional information. The "new icon" () indicates that updates have been made since last semester.

Highlights for 2013A
• 1) Data taken with ALL instruments are now included in the Keck Observatory Archive.
• 2) MOSFIRE and OSIRIS are now available on Keck I.
• 3) The CoRoT Key Science project is now completed. General PI proposals are still being accepted.
• 4) The Keck Interferometer is no longer available.
• 5) General Proposals for the Use of Keck to Observe Public Kepler Targets
• 6) Addition of Co-I Institutions to NExScI Cover Page


• Note restricted Keck 1 time available during summer months. See here for more information.
• Remote Observing is now available at Caltech and Yale!

Useful Links and Information

• The WMKO Instrumentation Page contains critical information about the availability of various instruments and should be consulted for up-to-date information as well as any new instrumentation available on a time-swap basis with Gemini-N, Gemini-S and Subaru.
• Acknowledgment for publications using NASA Keck data and the Keck Observatory Archive.
• Keck Interferometer Data Archive
• Keck Observatory Archive
• Keck Telescope Users Guide
• NASA Keck Users' Bibliography
• Keck Interferometry Bibliography
• NASA-Keck Successful Observing Proposals - since 1996B
• Visitor Instruments at the Keck Telescopes - CARA does not currently support visitor instruments.
• Service Observing - CARA does not anticipate having service observing time available on instruments in the near future.

The NASA Keck Time Solicitation Information web site is a source of information for professional researchers who wish to submit proposals for the NASA allocation of observing time at the W. M. Keck Observatory. For general public information, please visit the Keck Home Page.

Web Curator and NExScI Cognizant Official: Dawn Gelino