Observing Rules: 3. Declaration of AORs

3. Declaration of AORs

3.1 Definition of Approved Programs

For Guaranteed Time Observations (GTOs), the approved programs for the first 2.5 years of the cryogenic mission consist of the complete list of AORs and corresponding program abstracts submitted in response to a Request for GTO Program Submission issued by the SSC. The Project Scientist has the responsibility to verify that the submitted programs are conflict-free. Starting with Cycle-3, the additional approved GTO programs are defined in the same way as the GO programs described below.

For the original Legacy Science projects, the approved programs consist of the full list of AORs and corresponding abstracts submitted in 2001. Starting with Cycle-2, the additional approved Legacy programs are defined in the same way as the GO programs described below.

For General Observer (GO) investigations, the approved programs will consist of abstracts and either of the following: (i) all of the original AORs submitted as part of a GO proposal that has been accepted without any modifications recommended by the TAC, or (ii) a revised list of AORs that has been modified in response to specific TAC recommendations.

For Director's Discretionary Time (DDT) observations, the approved programs consist of the AORs based on approved DDT proposals and the corresponding abstracts.

3.2 Reserved Observations Catalog (ROC)

During the time when a CP is active (i.e., between the release of the CP and the selection of observations for the pertinent observing cycle), no major changes are permitted in the ROC. An exception to the ROC freeze during active CPs will be granted to successful Spitzer Fellow applicants that are awarded observing time as part of their fellowship.

Go back to rules page or go on to Section 4: Modification of AORs