Last revised December 10 2008
General Instructions for submitting observing proposals
Browse through currently scheduled projects.
If you have any problems with the form contact Ellen Howell (ehowell@naic.edu) for assistance.
Section I - General Information
Proposal submitted for:
February 1 June 1 October 1 Special Deadline
Has this same proposal been submitted previously?
No Yes Enter proposal number here (email carmen@naic.edu if unknown).
If previously submitted, have any changes been made?
Yes No (will not be reviewed again)
Type of Proposal: Terms below are defined here.
Proposal Category:
Auxiliary Category Information:(check all that apply)
Observing Mode:
Remote Observing is available for experienced users.
Remote Observing:
Service Observing is ONLY available for Short Proposals:
See service observing instructions for details.
NOTE: The proposal title, abstract, and technical information become public information once the project has been scheduled.
Proposal Title:
Abstract should clearly summarize the scientific objectives in 150 words or less:
Principal Investigator:
Last Name:
First Name: Middle Initial:
Institution:
Mailing address (please use hard returns at the end of each line):
Telephone: FAX:
e-mail:
Are you a student?
Undergraduate Graduate No
Co-Investigator
Is this author a student?
Put additional authors below if needed. Please include complete address and email information for each. Please indicate which are undergraduate or graduate students.
Financial Support Needed?
Are these observations part of a PhD or Masters Thesis? PhD Dissertation Masters Thesis
The NAIC requests that you provide the following with your proposal submission:
Click here to see the publications we have on record for
astronomy or aeronomy.
Section II - Time Request
Total Hours Requested:
Time Distribution:
Use more than one line only if necessary. If this format does not suit your needs, please describe time requirements in the area below.
Specify Time system: AST (Atlantic Std.=UT-4) LST Local Sidereal Time UT
Describe constraints on the days requested. For example: range of calendar dates preferred, or 2 runs of 3 days, spaced 5 days apart, etc. Scientific reasons for distribution must also be described and justified in your proposal.
NEW: Please enter the minimum usable block of time for this project for help in scheduling. In case a time slot becomes available, let us know how short a time would be useful to you in your LST range. Remember that the telescope can take up to 15 min to slew to your target, depending on where the previous observer has left it.
Minimum Useful Time Block
Please estimate the amount of data you expect to collect each day, or observing session. This will ensure that we have enough storage to meet everyone's needs. If you need more than 500 GB please discuss your storage requirements well in advance of your observing time with your support astronomer.
less than 100 GB 100 GB - 500 GB more than 500 GB
Click here for the list of instruments currently available.
Now available for general use, the Wideband Arecibo Pulsar Processor (WAPP) You will find more details here.
For Radar observations, check transmitters below. To use only the receiver, click appropriate box under receivers.
Atmospheric Observation Instruments Check technical data for Arecibo optical instrumentation for details on using these. Tilting-Filter Photometer Spectrophotometer Fabry-Perot Interferometer Ionosonde Lidar I plan to use my own instrument (specify below).
Give a description of any special equipment needs, hardware, software or recording media:
For general information about the RFI situation at Arecibo Observatory, click here. You MUST request RFI protection now if you think you will need it, since arrangements must be made far in advance of the observations.
Enter the frequency ranges to be used (in MHz):
Example: 1220 - 1250
(please separate each range with a carriage return)
You MUST check either yes or no for each item below:
Yes, I need protection from IRIDIUM at 1610.6 - 1613.8 MHz (Observations must be scheduled between 10pm and 6am EST or 11pm and 7am AST.)
No, I do not need protection from IRIDIUM.
Yes, I need coordination with Punta Salinas radar for my observation within the band 1222-1381 MHz. More Information
No, I do not need coordination with Punta Salinas radar.
Yes, I need coordination with GPS L3 at 1381 MHz. More Information
No, I do not need coordination with GPS L3 at 1381 MHz.
List your targets, or a representative set (leave blank if this does not apply, i.e. for atmospheric observations).
NOTE: If your list is very long (more than about 30 lines) please put: see Justification, and include the list as part of your postscript Justification file.
Example: RA Dec Object type, or criteria for searches, etc.
Press Preview to be sure that your cover sheet is correct and complete. You may return to the form to make changes if needed. You can save your coversheet in postscript at this time if desired.
To complete your observing proposal, you must also send either a postscript file or PDF file with your scientific justification, no more than 3 pages (6 for long-term, 12 for large proposals). See instructions for more details.
NOTE: You may now email either your PDF proposal file or postscript file to proposal@naic.edu
If your file is large (bigger than 20 MB) contact Ellen Howell (ehowell@naic.edu)for submission instructions.
After successful submission of the cover sheet, a temporary ID (PI last name plus a 12 digit number) will appear on the screen. This may take several minutes - please be patient. Please enter this temporary ID with no additional words in the Subject field when you email your scientific justification, for ease of processing. The scientific justification PDF or postscript file should be sent either via email to proposal@naic.edu, or mail hardcopies to: