POLICY

1. Can I propose to search for exoplanets or work upon exoplanet-related science?
2. What happens if I unexpectedly find an exoplanet around my source?
3. What is the difference between the GO program and the KASC program?

DATA

1. What are the consequences of choosing a custom target?

PROPOSING

1. I've missed the deadlines for the Guest Observer Program - can I still propose for observing time ?
2. Can I propose a source which is *not* in the Kepler Input Catalog ?
3. Can I observe a source brighter than the saturation level ?
4. What do I need to include in my proposal? A budget ?   A CV ?
5. I'm breaking the page limit due to a long target table! What can I do ?

ARCHIVE

1. Where do I obtain my Kepler data ?
2. MAST tells me my GO data is proprietary and I cannot have access ?
3. When I use the search engine at MAST, I only seem to get access to a portion of my data. Where's the rest ?

MISCELLANEOUS

1. What is a .bz2 file?

Can I propose to search for exoplanets or work upon exoplanet-related science?

No. Exoplanet and exo-planet related science is reserved for the Kepler Science Team. Furthermore, by proposing for Kepler GO targets, you are agreeing to the policy of non-disclosure of exoplanet information obtained serendipitously or otherwise through your GO targets. This policy is described in the NASA NRA and all GOs will sign non-disclosure agreements before receiving their data.

What happens if I unexpectedly find an exoplanet around my source?

The Kepler Key Project will perform follow-up observations. If confirmed the detection will be announced and published by the Kepler project. You will be invited to participate in the exoplanet investigation and will be invited to co-author resulting papers. The non-disclosure agreement applies in all cases.

What is the difference between the GO program and the KASC program?

The KASC program belongs to the Kepler Astroseismology Science Consortium. The KASC program has been initiated by the Kepler project to exploit the asteroseismological potential of the Kepler data using guaranteed short- and long-cadence targets each quarter. However the KASC program does not constrain the GO program. GOs can propose the same targets and science as the KASC with no limitations. GOs have an advantage over KASC members - the GOs do not have to abide by the KASC publication policies. Note that KASC is not a closed community; all interested researchers may join one or more of the KASC working groups.

What are the consequences of choosing a custom target?

A custom target is a source which requires the GO to propose a non-standard pixel mask. Examples are extended sources, saturated stars and sources without KIC entries. Through Quarter 6 custom targets are processed so that the pixels are calibrated, but light curve products will not be generated for the archive. As of January 2011, the target pixel files will begin to be archived, so that users can construct their own light curves.

I've missed the deadline for Guest Observer proposals - can I still propose for observing time?

Yes. In between the annual call for proposals, one can request time under the Discretionary Time program, for proposing targets of astrophysical interest.

• Annual Kepler Guest Observer Program Announcements of Opportunity are released as part of NASA's Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) Program. New announcements and updates can be found at the NSPIRES website.

• Discretionary Targets (DDTs) are an unfunded competition held quarterly for individual or small samples of targets that provide a faster turnaround between the proposal process and the archiving process.

Can I propose a source which is *not* in the KIC?

Yes. Follow the instructions in the Announcement of Opportunity and within the target table, and the target checks GO web pages. The Guest Observer office will work with proposers to optimally observe your propose source.

Can I observe a source brighter than the saturation level?

Yes. Properly mapped pixel masks can capture the charge bleed from sources which saturate the central pixel(s). Please see the details on the target aperture, and target checks GO web pages. You may contact the GO Office for further information on observing the brightest sources in the Kepler field.

What do I need to include in my proposal? A budget ?   A CV ?

For a checklist of required proposal components, please see the Proposal Preparation Content page, and the NASA document NRA 2010 Handbook.

I'm breaking the page limit due to a long target table! What can I do?

Exceptions to the page limits will be made for long target tables, or proposals with large numbers of Co-Is. Please note that the scientific justification section must adhere to the standard page limits.

Where do I obtain my Kepler data ?

All Kepler data is obtained from the MultiMission Archive, at the Space Telescope Science Institute using their Kepler Data Search and Retrieval Tool.

MAST tells me my GO data is proprietary and I cannot have access ?

The Guest Observer Office has supplied MAST with your email address and GO program number. But these steps is not sufficient for a GO to access their data. There are two further steps that a GO must perform themselves.

• Register as a user at MAST, creating a username and password to link to your email address.
• Email MAST at archive@stsci.edu and request that your program number be registered with your MAST username.

Execution of this task will typically take <24h, but we recommend GOs complete the above steps before their data becomes available.

When I use the search engine at MAST, I only seem to get access to a portion of my data. Where's the rest ?

To access your data using the MAST Search and Retrieval Tool, the GO enters their program number into the "Investigation ID" dialog box. You must use the wildcard character before and after the program number for MAST to include ALL datasets marked with your program ID. For example, to obtain all data for this program, one would enter: *GO10000*

What is a .bz2 file?

A file ending in .bz2 has been encoded using the bzip2 data compression algorithm. For more information on bzip2 files, see the bzip2 project pages.