The call for proposals for NASA Keck time in observing semester 2022B (August 1, 2022-January 31, 2023) is now open for professional research using the NASA allocation for telescope observing time at the W.M. Keck Observatory.
The opportunity to propose as a Principal Investigator (PI) for the NASA time on the Keck Telescopes is open to all U.S.-based astronomers, i.e. those with their principal affiliation at a U.S. institution.
Thursday, March 3, 2022: Deadline to request the required letters of support from NASA HQ and the supported project for General Mission Support proposals.
Thursday, March 17, 2022 by 4 pm US PDT: All proposals and supporting letters due to NExScI by 4 pm US PDT
Starting in 2022A, the NASA Keck TAC uses a Dual Anonymous Proposal Review (DAPR) process. Proposers prepare two documents: an anonymized Science Program and a non-anonymized Expertise and Access document.
Please note that due to ongoing AO upgrades, there may be times in the semester when AO is unavailable for cadence observations. Cadence program PIs are responsible for development of instrument scripts, providing documentation, and training of staff needed to make the cadence program a turnkey operation.
As during the pandemic, Keck will continue support up to two observers for at-home observing: one primary and one secondary observer. Additional observers can join but cannot launch the VNC control system for the instruments. At-home observing requires the installation of software which only runs on Linux and macOS operating systems. At-home observers will be contacted by Keck staff and should work with this staff to install and test the software several days ahead of their run to allow time for troubleshooting.
Pajama mode is available to first time observers although they are strongly encouraged to travel to Keck for their observations if possible.
Other than this period of downtime, the Subaru-Keck exchange will continue as previous semesters with flexibility as to the number of nights available for exchange. Please see the available instruments page for complete information on Subaru.
(last updated February 23rd, 2022 14:09:19)
The NASA Exoplanet Science Institute is operated by the California Institute of Technology, under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under the Exoplanet Exploration Program.
