Members of the community can propose on an annual cycle to use the Kepler photometer for funded, focused astrophysics investigations. While any source within the Kepler field-of-view can be targeted, the proposed science cannot overlap the Kepler Key Project. The following graphic lists potential areas of investigation which might be proposed by Guest Observers (GOs). GO investigations are not limited to these science areas; proposals for other sources and science are greatly encouraged. In addition to the annual funded proposal cycle, there is also a quarterly unfunded opportunity to propose small numbers of targets. The formal scope of these GO proposals is provided below the graphic.

Kepler continuously monitors a 115 square degree field-of-view in the Cygnus region (centered upon α = 19h 22m 40s, δ = 44° 30' 00''), with the objective of photometrically detecting transits of Earth-size planets in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars. The instrument’s high-precision photometric capability, with two available cadence modes: 1 and 30-minutes, is well-suited to asteroseismology research and other variability analyses of both stellar and extragalactic sources. The Kepler Guest Observer (GO) Office solicits proposals from the astronomy community for:

1. New sources of astrophysical interest.

2. Observations of existing targets on the exoplanet list for science investigations unrelated to the Key Project.

Proposals for the Cycle 4 Kepler Guest Observer solicitation are due on 16 Dec 2011. Successful proposers will be notified approximately 4 months after the submission deadline, with data collection set to begin during June 2012.

• Guest Observer programs may involve observations of any target within the Kepler field. This range includes targets currently being monitored by the Key Project, addition of new targets, and the re-introduction of dropped targets. The primary means to identify potential targets is the Kepler Target Search Form, which provides information on sources within the FOV.

• Investigators can determine if their proposed sources have been observed by using (a), the Kepler Data Search Form, which provides information on targets whose data have been archived, and, (b) by using the Guest Observer cycle target lists provided here.

• GOs will not have exclusive access to any target on the Key Project observing list. Any GO target that shows evidence for an exoplanet will be investigated by the Project. In this event, GOs are bound to the non-disclosure terms and policies described within the solicitation. If a planet is found, the discovery will be announced and published by the Project. The associated GO will be invited to participate in the exoplanet investigation as a co-author.

• If a GO science paper or presentation pertains to a target with an exoplanet candidate, GOs must allow the Kepler Science Council to verify that the publication or presentation does not violate the non-disclosure conditions before the paper is submitted for publication or presented.

• Members of the Kepler Project will not conduct any investigation upon exclusive GO target data that is unrelated to the search for exoplanets.

• GOs may request short cadence monitoring of existing long cadence targets.

• Observations are conducted in 3-month segments termed quarters. The observing and data archive schedule are detailed here.

Instructions concerning Guest Observer proposals are provided on the Proposal Preparation page. A publicity flyer for the Kepler Guest Observer Program can be downloaded from here. Feel free to display it on department, walls, doors and coffee tables.

Director's Discretionary Targets (DDTs)

The standard GO competition occurs on an annual cycle. Given the proposal review timeline, associated data processing and archive activities, there is currently a 6-month delay between GO proposal submission and first observations, and a 1-year wait between proposal submission and the delivery of the first GO data. To provide a faster mechanism for headline Kepler astrophysics, we provide an alternative means for acquiring Kepler data, through the Director's Discretionary Target (DDT) program.

The DDT program is a quarterly competition. Observations can be proposed for at any time; approved targets will be added during the next spacecraft roll. Up to 100 DDTs are available each quarter. No funding will be provided for DDTs. Proposals from all institutions and countries are encouraged. The proposal process is informal, requiring an email request from the proposer to the . There is no peer review of DDTs; program target selection is at the discretion of the GO Office Director. The purpose of the DDT program is to:

• Provide a fast-track to Kepler data, yielding rapid, high-impact science.
• Respond to targets of GO interest, newly dropped from the planetary list. Targets can be reinstated back into the observing list via a DDT request.
• Respond to "targets of opportunity".
• Permit pilot studies of small samples prior to the next GO solicitation.

DDT proposals can be submitted at any time, however in order to include sources within the next quarter proposers must submit requests before these dates: Jan 24, Apr 23, Jul 24, Oct 24. Target overlap with the current cycle Guest Observer program will not be considered.

Next: Key Project

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