Call for GBT Proposals - Trimester 08B

Call for GBT Proposals - Trimester 08B
Deadline: 1 February 2008, 5:00 P.M., EST

The 1 February deadline will cover the 08B observing period from 1 June 2008 through 30 September 2008. We will accept proposals for the following receivers: 290-920 MHz (PF1), 910-1230 MHz (PF2), 1.15-1.73 GHz (L), 1.73-2.60 GHz (S), 3.8-6.1 GHz (C), 8.0-12.0 GHz (X), and 12.0-15.4 GHz (Ku). Since summer weather conditions significantly reduce the amount of observing time usable at frequencies of 18 GHz and higher, no new proposals will be accepted for the 18.0-26.5 GHz (K), 26.0-39.5 GHz (Ka) and 38.2-49.8 GHz (Q) receivers.

All proposals accepted for the 08B trimester will be part of a full test of the planned new GBT dynamic scheduling system (DSS). This test will be run through the entire 08B trimester. Note that the DSS tests will result in no change to the proposal preparation and submission process - once the refereeing process is complete, project investigators will be contacted on how to modify any information brought over from the PST which they desire to have changed before the trimester begins. GBT staff will, as always, be available to help observers both in working with the observing information in the DSS database and also with understanding the new dynamic scheduling scheme. It should also be noted that the DSS alters only the scheduling process for the GBT and will not affect the observing interface (e.g. Astrid) in any way. Further information on the GBT DSS can be found at http://www.gb.nrao.edu/DSS.

Available observing modes include spectral line (including cross-polarization), continuum, pulsar, and VLBI/VLBA. Pulsar modes include the Pulsar Spigot, the Spectral Processor and the BCPM (Berkeley-Caltech Pulsar Machine) through agreement with its developers. The VLBA back end with Mark5A disk recorder may be used as a high-time resolution (> 2 ns) back end for single-dish observing. Details of all GBT observing modes are described in the proposer's guide at: http://www.gb.nrao.edu/gbtprops/man/GBTpg/GBTpg_tf.html Proposers should also consult the more general document, "The Performance of the GBT: A Guide for Planning Observations", available at the link http://www.gb.nrao.edu/~rmaddale/GBT/ReceiverPerformance/PlaningObservations.htm

The GBT will not accept Large Proposals (http://www.nrao.edu/administration/directors_office/largeprop.shtml) at this deadline.

Proposals requesting GBT participation in HSA, VLBA or global VLBI observations should be submitted to the VLBA only, not to the GBT. Proposers requesting joint GBT and VLA and or VLBA observations must submit separate proposals for each instrument and indicate in these proposals that they are a joint request.

The Observatory continues to offer financial support for graduate and undergraduate students performing research with the GBT through the Student Support Program. Awards of up to $35,000 are possible. Applications are made in conjunction with GBT observing proposals, and will be accepted at the 1 October 2007 deadline. Student support applications are now made through an integrated feature of the proposal submission tool. Information about the program can be found at the NRAO Student Observing Support Program link http://wiki.gb.nrao.edu/bin/view/Observing/NRAOStudentSupportProgram

We remind proposers of the NRAO policy requesting a Plan of Dissertation (http://www.gb.nrao.edu/gbtprops/gbtproppolicies.shtml) as part of the support for PhD dissertations using NRAO facilities. If the proposal is part of a dissertation thesis and a Plan of Dissertation has not been submitted in the past (or one has been but there are major changes) please use the NRAO Proposal Submission Tool to submit one.

Proposers must use the NRAO Proposal Submission (PST) tool available at the link http://www.gb.nrao.edu/nraoPST.htm or directly from http://my.nrao.edu. Several modifications to the PST have been made and will be in place starting 17:00 EST Wednesday, 16 January 2008, and accessible from NRAO Interactive Services at http://my.nrao.edu. The principal investigator, the contact author and any students who will use the proposed observations for their dissertation thesis, must be registered users. On the registration form you will be asked contact information which will be used for notification about proposal status, telescope schedules, funding, etc. We encourage proposers to register early. The PST can now upload a Plan of Dissertation either within the Author's page for a specific proposal or from a student's profile under user preferences. For more details see: https://wikio.nrao.edu/bin/view/Software/PSTReleaseNotesFeb2008.

The policy for observing with the GBT, including a description of the strict restrictions concerning remote observing, can be found at the link http://wiki.gb.nrao.edu/bin/view/Observing/GbtObservingPolicies

Proposal receipt will open on 17:00 EST (5pm) Wednesday, 16 January 2008 and will close at 17:00 EST (5pm) on Friday, 1 February 2008.

Questions about the proposal process may be addressed to Carl Bignell (304-456-2165 or cbignell@nrao.edu). Technical questions about GBT hardware, software, and observing modes may be addressed to Toney Minter (304-456-2275 or tminter@nrao.edu). Questions about the proposal submission tool should be sent to proposal@aoc.nrao.edu.

Richard Prestage