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Revision
B 3.
Further Details on this
Call 5.
Award Value and Follow-on
Activity 6.
Proposal Evaluation
Criteria 1. SummaryThe Space Interferometry
Mission—PlanetQuest
(SIM/PQ) Project at JPL seeks several teams of scientists (the
“external
teams”) to participate in a near-term project to calculate the ability
of SIM/PQ
to detect an Earth-mass planet in the habitable zone (HZ) around a
nearby star,
in the presence of a multiple-planet system as well as instrumental and
astrophysical noise. The goal is to perform a
double-blind
test to understand the ability of the combination of the astrometric
SIM/PQ
mission, when combined with ground-based radial-velocity (RV)
observations, to
detect terrestrial-mass exoplanets, and to establish the minimum
requirements
on this combination. There will
be three types of science teams (A, B, and C) involved in reaching the
goal of
this Call. Teams A and C will be
comprised of constituent teams, e.g., A1, A2, … and C1, C2, … . In brief, the roles of these teams are as
follows. Team
A. Planetary system model generating
teams, designated A1, A2, etc. Will
provide current best estimates of model planetary system parameters
(mass and
orbital elements). Teams will be
directly funded by the SIM Project. This
Call does not solicit participation in Team A activities. Team
B. Data modeling team.
Based at Michelson Science Center and JPL,
will take input models from Team A, and generate astrometric and RV
simulated
data for these targets. This Call does
not solicit participation in Team B. Team C.
Data analysis teams, designated C1, C2, etc.
Will analyze simulated data sets to estimate planetary
system
parameters, in a double-blind test. This
Call solicits participation in Team C activities. A more
detailed description of these activities, in approximate but
overlapping time
order, is as follows. Team A, Model Generation.
These teams will provide model planetary
systems that are based on current best estimates of the distributions
of
exoplanet masses and orbital elements in stable or nominally stable
configurations. These model systems are
expected to contain planets ranging in mass from terrestrial to gas
giant, and
covering a wide range of orbital parameters, as found in current planet
formation and migration theories. Models
which happen to feature a terrestrial mass planet in the habitable zone
will be
directly relevant to the goal of this Call, and models which do not
will
provide valuable comparison cases. Team B, Data Modeling. This
team of scientists at the Michelson
Science Center, firewalled from all other participants in this project,
will
build simulated data sets, based on model planetary systems from Team
A,
representing the type of data expected from a typical SIM/PQ mission
profile in
combination with a representative program of ground-based RV
measurements. The RV measurements may
extend over a
significantly longer period of time than the astrometric measurements,
and in
particular a long enough period so as to capture a larger part of a
typical
outer planet orbital period than the astrometric observations might be
able to
sample. The model target stars will be
drawn from a pre-determined list of nearby stars that are accessible to
SIM/PQ
(see web reference). The properties of
the model target stars (e.g., spectral type, mass, distance) will be
according
to current best estimates. The data sets
will include parallax, proper motion, systemic radial velocity of each
star
(target and reference), and the motion of the spacecraft in the Solar
System. To keep this exercise
tractable, weak
astrophysical effects such as spots on the target and reference stars,
and
planets around the reference stars, as well as weak instrumental
effects such
as thermal drifts and spacecraft ageing, all will be subsumed into the
error
bars of individual measurements.
Higher-order effects that are expected to be completely
removable, such
as gravitational deflection and aberration of light, will not be
included. However the data sets will
include expected
instrumental and astrophysical noise (about 1 microarcsec and 1 m/s rms
per
measurement, respectively). The
simulated data sets will be composed of time-series of individual
synthetic
observations, at hundreds of epochs per star, of the form (t, x, y) and
(t, v)
for astrometric and RV data, respectively, where t is the epoch of
either the
astrometric or RV observation (plus estimates of the associated
measurement
uncertainties), x and y are components of the two-dimensional sky
separation
from the target to a reference star, projected onto an orthogonal
coordinate
system in the plane of the sky (e.g. local RA and Dec) , and v is the
measured
radial velocity (referenced to the solar-system barycenter, and with
its
associated uncertainty). Team C, Data Analysis.
We seek several teams to analyze simulated data that will
be generated
from the planetary system models of Team A and the data modeling of
Team
B. One of these groups will be a subset
of the SIM Science Team (http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_team.cfm
, the “internal
team”), and the
others will be competitively selected from the responses to this Call
(the “external
teams”). Internal team members are not
eligible to participate as members of the external teams.
After the Team C groups are selected through
the present Call, this step will be carried out in two stages. (a) The Team C groups will be given
practice
data sets to analyze, along with the answers, i.e., the detailed model
input
and noise-generation information. This
will allow the teams to exercise their software. It
will also permit refinements in the
overall process. (b) The teams will be
given data sets without answers, which they will analyze as they see
appropriate. This double-blind test is
the heart of the exercise. In the
present context, the term “data analysis” means the process of starting
with
simulated data, projecting out of this data the underlying signatures
of
planetary masses and orbits, and applying appropriate statistical tests
to
demonstrate the degree to which the signatures thus obtained are likely
to
correspond to real planets and orbits. Finally, the Analysis
Output from the Team C
groups will be compiled by the SIM/PQ Project at JPL, in consultation
with all
participating Teams (A, B C) and outside experts, and the results
communicated
to NASA HQ as well as being made available publicly.
We expect that the methods and results of
this work, including both the Model Input and Analysis Output, will be
published in the refereed scientific literature. The
complete process will be overseen by an
External Independent Review Board (EIRB) of scientists, appointed by
NASA
HQ. Participants will be expected to
make occasional presentations to the EIRB. 2. SIM/PQ Mission OverviewSIM/PQ is a space-based
interferometric
astrometry mission that could operate in the coming decade. SIM/PQ makes its astrometric measurements
with a Michelson stellar interferometer operating in the optical
passband
(approximately 400 – 950 nm). Operating for a minimum of a five-year
prime
mission with a possible extended mission of 10 years, SIM/PQ measures apparent
astrometric
positions and motions of objects by means of repeated systematic
coverage of
the available celestial sphere over its mission lifetime. SIM/PQ
will be launched into a
heliocentric Earth-trailing orbit similar to the Spitzer Space
Telescope orbit.
In this orbit SIM/PQ will slowly drift away from the Earth at a rate of
slightly more than 0.1 AU per year. A variant of the SIM/PQ mission,
presently
called SIM-Lite, has the same astrometric performance as SIM/PQ on
bright
sources, differing only in the total number of observable stars. The
data and
analysis will be identical for these two variants. In
order to maintain thermal stability SIM/PQ
will maintain several line-of-sight exclusion regions on the sky, the
most
important being the solar exclusion region – roughly speaking the
instrument
may not point within approximately 60º of the sun. This solar
exclusion
restriction means that roughly 75% of the sky is available at any
instant, and as
the spacecraft orbits the sun the full 100% of the sky becomes
accessible. A general overview of the
existing SIM/PQ
science program is given in Unwin et al. 2007. A key focus of SIM/PQ is
high-precision narrow-angle differential astrometry, with the intent to
detect
and characterize exoplanets and exoplanet systems around nearby stars
(e.g.,
see Sozzetti et al. 2002; Sozzetti et al. 2003; Ford & Tremaine
2003;
Catanzarite et al. 2006; and Unwin et al. 2007). SIM/PQ will be capable
of
approximately 1 as-precision (per measurement) astrometry relative to
reference stars in a narrow field of approximately 1 degree, and
anchored
against drift and rotation by an external astrometric grid. Additional
details
are given in Unwin et al. 2007. See the
web references for a data sheet containing technical specifications and
expected performance of SIM/PQ and SIM-Lite. 3. Further Details on this CallThe successful teams are
expected to be
knowledgeable in the current field of exoplanets and exoplanet orbital
distributions,
methods for orbit estimation, and methods of general astrometry and
radial
velocity analysis. The successful external teams will work with (but
independently from and in parallel to) the internal team. The value of this award,
per selected team, for
the initial phase leading to a mid-summer 2008 reporting milestone, and
a
completion date per the Schedule, is dependent upon the needs of the
teams and
the funds available. Interested PIs
should submit a proposal outlining their team’s qualifications and
analysis
plans. See the Schedule section for
dates. As presently envisioned,
this simulation program
will continue into a second phase in 2008 and 2009, with additional
experiments
against a greater diversity of exoplanet system architectures.
Successful
external teams selected in this solicitation will be invited to
continue in the
simulation program contingent on the availability of funds, and
successful
performance in the first phase of the simulation program. The synthetic astrometric
data for these
experiments will be of the form of a time-series of two-dimensional
separations
between a target star and nearby reference stars (plus error estimates
in the
separations). The synthetic supporting RV data will be of the form of
time
series of barycentric radial velocities for the target star as a
function of
time. It is important to
understand that no SIM/PQ
observing time is available as a part of this solicitation, and no
preferential
consideration in future SIM/PQ observing solicitations is guaranteed or
implied
as a result of participation in this opportunity. This Call is being targeted
at individuals who,
as judged by their past scientific publications, are expected to have a
potential interest in the current project.
These individuals may lead teams, participate in teams, or
participate
as individuals. However, participation
at any level is not restricted to these individuals. Individuals who
are
currently receiving significant funding from the SIM Project may not
participate. The
opportunity to propose as a Principal Investigator for this
solicitation is
open to all U.S.-based scientists having their principal affiliation at
a U.S.
institution. U.S. citizenship is not
required. If you have
questions on Team C activities, contact Wes Traub at
wtraub@jpl.nasa.gov, or
questions on contractual issues, contact Andy Boden at
bode@ipac.caltech.edu .
A list of all submitted questions and answers will be posted at the
solicitation description page http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMCall/index.html
. 4. Conceptual ScheduleA conceptual schedule of
activities is given
below. This schedule puts an emphasis on
a team's ability to operate in a timely fashion. This
schedule covers the “initial performance
period”, defined as 1 April 2008 through 30 September 2008. In addition to the events listed, there will
be weekly telecons, monthly status reports to the EIRB, and occasional
meetings
in Pasadena (see Sec.7). February:
Release
Call for Proposals. March:
Analysis
proposals due. April & May: Initiate contract, get existing
algorithms, results, and
experience to date from SIM
Project, develop new algorithms and
run test cases supplied by Project. June:
Run
preliminary blind test cases. July:
Run
final blind cases. Assist SIM Project in
preparing interim report. August: Prepare final report. Prepare papers for publication. September:
Submit
final report. End of work under the
present Call. FY2009:
Subsequent
work is likely, following up on the FY08 results. 5. Award Value and Follow-on ActivityThe value of this award
will depend upon the
requirements of each team for the initial performance period, and the
available
funds. We are targeting an estimated
value of 50 – 125 K$, per selected team, for FY08 activities. Successful applicants will be funded through
an appropriate funding mechanism from JPL for the initial performance
period.
Contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory completion
of the
phase-one study, a second increment per continuing team may fund
additional
activity under a follow-on contract in FY 2009. 6. Proposal Evaluation CriteriaProposals
submitted in response to this solicitation will be evaluated based upon
the
following criteria: 1.
Demonstrated
understanding of the scientific context and background of the science
goals of
this solicitation: a.
Current
state of the exoplanet field in general, and the status of exoplanet
orbital
element distributions and multiple exoplanet systems in particular, b.
General
familiarity with astrometric and RV analysis techniques. 2.
Detailed
plan for the analysis of the synthetic experiments and reporting
results to the
SIM/PQ Science Team, the SIM Project, and the Navigator External Review
Board
in a timely manner. 3.
Plan
for synthetic data modeling and interpretation to include such topics
as: a.
Estimation
of local frame parameters, including the estimation of relative proper
motion
and parallax between experiment target and reference stars, b.
Multiple-planet
orbital estimation and hypothesis testing techniques, c.
Methods
for estimating confidence levels and statistical significance of
various
modeling hypotheses. 4.
Compliance
with rules regarding team and institutional eligibility, proposal
format and
contents. 5.
Cost
realism and reasonableness of the proposed activity 7.
Proposal
Specifications
The total
proposal length must be 11 single-sided pages, or less (plus vita
information;
see item d below). All proposals shall be submitted on-line in PDF,
PostScript,
or MS Word format per the Schedule. The
proposal should contain the following three sections, formatted with 12
point
font and 1 inch margins: (a) Title
page (one page): Proposal title, PI (one only) and co-I names and
affiliations,
contact author identified with address, email, telephones, and fax. (b)
Scientific and technical narrative, including figures and references
(eight
pages or less, including figures, tables, and references).
This should include an indication of the
qualifications of the team for this project, a description of how the
team will
address the goals of this solicitation, a brief description of the type
of
information that the team expects to provide, and an indication of how
the team
intends to provide their results to the SIM/PQ project.
(c) Budget
estimate for the initial performance period, including narrative
justification for
all items of cost as a basis of the estimate (two pages or less). Include the cost of travel for selected team
members to two meetings, two full days each, in Pasadena. (d) Brief
summary vitas for the PI (one page or less) and Co-I’s (1 page or
less),
including experience and relevant literature references.
Vita summaries will not be counted against
the proposal page count. All
information and materials submitted in response to this call will be
considered
sensitive, and will be protected according to the MSC Privacy Policy http://msc.caltech.edu/about/privacy.html
. 8. Proposal SubmissionProposals
must be submitted on-line through the MSC proposal submission portal (see call information at http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMCall/index.html,
including a link to the submission portal at https://koa.ipac.caltech.edu/applications/SIMProp). Required proposal materials must be submitted
to the submission portal in PDF, PostScript, or MS Word format, and
must be
submitted not later than 5pm PST Monday, 17 March 2008.
Required institutionally
endorsed
proposal materials (e.g. official budgets) may follow on-line
submission by
mail, and must be received at the address below not later than 5pm PST
Tuesday
25 March 2008. Selected
teams will be required to provide a
proposal package consisting of a statement of work (see below), a cost
proposal, and a cover letter signed by personnel authorized to commit
the
organization to contracts. Written
correspondence and supporting proposal materials should be mailed to:
Dr. Dawn M.
Gelino
Caltech 100-22
Michelson
Science Center
770 S. Wilson
Ave
Pasadena CA 91125 9.
Statement of Work
A draft
analysis team statement of work (SOW) for this activity is provided at
the
solicitation description page (http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMCall/index.html). This draft SOW is provided as a sample
description of the activities to be accomplished during the first phase
of the
analysis effort (as described in sections 1 and 4 of this solicitation). An official SOW will be established for
selected teams as part of the award contract. 10. References
SIM/PQ
Web References: ·
Mission/General
Description: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_index.cfm ·
Science
Goals Summary: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_science_goals.cfm ·
Science
Team: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_team.cfm ·
Astronomer's
Site: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_AstroIndex.cfm ·
Sensitivity
and Performance Estimation: http://mscweb.ipac.caltech.edu/ispot/ ·
Target
star list: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/SIM/sim_AstroIndex.cfm ·
Solicitation
Description Page: http://msc.caltech.edu/missions/SIMPQ/SIMCall/index.html ·
Proposal
Submission Portal: https://koa.ipac.caltech.edu/applications/SIMProp/ ·
MSC Privacy
Policy: http://msc.caltech.edu/about/privacy.html Literature References: ·
Catanzarite et al
2006, PASP 118, 1319, or http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0603681 ·
Ford
& Tremaine 2003, PASP 115, 1171, or http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0305030 ·
Sozzetti et al
2002, PASP 114, 1173, or http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0207222 ·
Sozzetti et al
2003, PASP 115, 1072,or http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0305253 ·
Sozzetti 2005,
PASP 117, 1021, or http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0507115 ·
Unwin et al
2008, PASP 120, 38, or http://lanl.arxiv.org/abs/0708.3953
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