ExoPAG Overview

1. ExoPAG 30 Agenda, Slack, and Last Call for Lightning Talks (May 5, 2024; Providence RI @ AbSciCon, hybrid)

Reminder that ExoPAG 30 is less than 1 month away! The overarching topic is the search for life in the Solar System and beyond/identification of overlapping science gaps and cross-divisional opportunities for progress with the Exoplanet and Astrobiology science communities.

No-cost meeting registration is requested whether attending in person or remote at https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag30/exopag30-registration/, and a reminder that in-person ExoPAG 30 attendees do NOT need to register for AbSciCon.

The agenda has been added to the website, note the lively brain date discussions and an opportunity for early career lightning talks: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag30/exopag30-program/.

In person attendees: Please share your topics of interest and background for the brain date discussions here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RHBY0zcBAPVJhYrdnhNnMyRNopDV1BUJK6gn0qHctJ8/edit

The ExoPAG Slack space is open as well, join the discussion via this invite link: https://bit.ly/exopag30slackinvite

Early Career applications for in-person lightning talks will close April 16th at 6pm PDT. Submit yours here: https://forms.gle/J5exsHYthc83nJhR7

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2. Welcome New ExoPAG Executive Committee Members

"Dear All,

We are very pleased to announce the new members of the ExoPAG Executive Committee (EC) for 2024:

• Thomas Beatty (U. Wisconsin)
• Chuanfei Dong (Boston University)
• Julien Girard (STScI)
• Sarah Peacock (U. Maryland Baltimore County/NASA/GSFC)

They bring new expertise and diverse perspectives to the ExoPAG Executive Committee. Please join me in welcoming Thomas, Chuanfei, Julien, and Sarah. We are grateful that they have accepted the invitation to join the EC and contribute for their three-year terms.

We are also grateful for the significant contributions of departing Executive Committee members:

• Ofer Cohen (U. Massachusetts Lowell)
• Knicole Colón (NASA/GSFC)
• Michael Bottom (U. Hawaii)
• Natalie Hinkel (Louisiana State U.)

Please join me in thanking them for their service over the years.

Sincerely,
Hannah Jang-Condell
ExoPAG Executive Secretary at NASA HQ
Deputy Exoplanet Exploration Program Scientist"

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3. NASA Astrophysics Technology Gap List Webinar (May 14, 2024, 2pm EDT/11am PDT)​

From Brendan Crill (Deputy Program Chief Technologist, NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program):

"The NASA Astrophysics Technology Gap List update in 2024 is underway and we are seeking input from the community to help NASA identify gaps between today’s state-of-the-art technologies and what will be needed for future strategic astrophysics missions. Please join technologists from the three NASA Astrophysics thematic Program Offices - Cosmic Origins (COR), Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP), and Physics of the Cosmos (PhysCOS) - on May 14, 2024 at 11am Pacific / 2pm Eastern for a 60-minute public webinar that will provide an overview of the technology gap process. There will be time for Q&A.

Link to the webinar is here: https://nasaenterprise.webex.com/nasaenterprise/j.php?MTID=m0314443bad740fa5bcadc5752472945a

As a reminder, submissions of new technology gaps are welcome before 3 June 2024 – please see the technology gap submission form at https://apd440.gsfc.nasa.gov/tech_gap_priorities.html for instructions."

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4. Challenging Theory with Roman: From Planet Formation to Cosmology (July 9-12, 2024; Abstract deadline April 12, 2024)

Dear colleague,

We are pleased to announce that registration is now officially open for the conference, "Challenging Theory with Roman: From Planet Formation to Cosmology," to be held July 9–12, 2024, on the Caltech campus in Pasadena, CA, and online. You can register for the conference at https://conference.ipac.caltech.edu/roman2024/page/registration. Registration for both in-person and virtual attendance is free. We are committed to facilitating a meeting that is productive and enjoyable for everyone. In support of this, all participants are expected to review in advance and acknowledge the conference code of conduct when registering. All attendees are expected to adhere to the code and will be held accountable to its stated principles. The deadline for registration is June 25, 2024.

We remind you as well that abstracts are still currently being accepted at https://conference.ipac.caltech.edu/roman2024/abstracts/, for contributed talks (in-person or virtual) and posters (in-person only).

The deadline for abstract submission is coming up soon, on April 12, 2024.

To submit an abstract and to register for the conference, you will first need to sign in; or, if you have never attended an IPAC-hosted conference before, sign up, create a profile, and then sign in.

We also encourage you to subscribe to our conference mailing list at https://conference.ipac.caltech.edu/roman2024/subscriber, to receive future announcements about the conference.

This conference is being organized and hosted by the Roman Science Support Center at IPAC. The goal of this 4-day conference is to bring members of the community together to discuss how observations with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will challenge theories, from exoplanets to the edge of the Universe. The conference will focus mainly on Roman surveys with the Wide Field Instrument, as well as on the Coronagraph Instrument. This conference, to take place on the Caltech campus and online, will be an active and exciting confluence of both observers and theorists to outline the potential breakthroughs that could be made possible by the Roman mission.

Invited speakers (confirmed):

• John Debes (STScI) --- circumstellar disks, exoplanet observations
• Yicheng Guo (U. Missouri) --- dwarf galaxies, joint data processing
• Chang Hoon Hahn (Princeton) --- large-scale structure, cosmology surveys
• Eve Lee (McGill Univ.) --- planet formation and populations
• Julie McEnery (NASA GSFC) --- Roman project status
• Zachary Slepian (U. Florida) --- dark energy, galaxy surveys
• Tjitske Starkenburg (Northwestern/CIERA) --- galaxy populations, stellar streams
• Tommaso Treu (UCLA) --- galaxies and dark matter
• Jennifer Yee (Harvard CfA) --- microlensing and planet demographics

Conference website: https://conference.ipac.caltech.edu/roman2024/.

If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties with the abstract submission or registration process, please email us at romanssc@ipac.caltech.edu.

Best regards,

SOC: Etienne Bachelet (Caltech/IPAC, co-chair), Takahiro Morishita (Caltech/IPAC, co-chair), Lee Armus (Caltech/IPAC), Sebastian Gomez (STScI), Claudia Scarlata (U. Minn.), Hee-Jong Seo (Ohio U.), Adam Smercina (U. Wash.), Aaron Smith (U. Texas), Takahiro Sumi (Osaka U.), Maria Vincenzi (Duke U.), Schuyler Wolff (U. Arizona)

LOC: Frank Aragon, Etienne Bachelet, Alexandra Greenbaum, Seppo Laine, Wanggi Lim, Teresa Molano, Takahiro Morishita, Schuyler Van Dyk

1. REMINDER: ExoPAG 30 (May 5, 2024; Providence RI @ AbSciCon)​

The Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group is organizing its 30th meeting on May 5th, 2024 in Providence, RI as a splinter session of AbSciCon at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

The ExoPAG 30 meeting will focus on the search for life in the Solar System and beyond and include presentations from various Program Analysis Groups and cross divisional research networks.

Do not miss our 'brain dates' to identify cross-divisional science gaps and opportunities.

Let us know your background and top two interests by April 15, 2024 at the registration page.

An interactive business meeting will also be held.

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag30/exopag30-overview/ (agenda will be posted soon!)

Attendees (whether remote or in-person) are urged to please register via the ExoPAG website for logistics and planning purposes https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag30/exopag30-registration/. This is extremely helpful to the organizers.

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2. ExoPAG 30: Call for Early Career Lightning Talks (May 5, 2024; Providence RI @ AbSciCon; The EXTENDED deadline is now April 16th at 6pm PT = 9pm ET. )

Early Career Scientists: Whether you are investigating Mars, icy moons, or distant exoplanets, ExoPAG30 invites you to share your work on the search for life in the Solar System and Beyond through our 3-Minute Lightning Talks. The meeting will be held in conjunction with AbSciCon in Providence, RI on May 5th, 2024. Ten in-person talks will be selected, with an opportunity for others to post their work to the ExoPAG 30 Slack where participants can interact virtually.

Please complete the online application (Google sign on required) and attach one, 1 page engaging pdf file summarizing your results for review. The EXTENDED deadline is now April 16th at 6pm PT = 9pm ET. As a reminder, the ten lightning talk speakers must attend ExoPAG 30 in person. Selections will be announced in mid-April.

Please contact exopag-info@jpl.nasa.gov with any questions you may have.

Thank you!

• ExoPAG 30: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag30/exopag30-overview/
• AbSciCon: https://www.agu.org/abscicon
• ExoPAG 30 Lightning Talk Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMpjsGfCGYwilwe4gR6_1zNDWxicdfq-TC1wlOOJuXQiKgVw/viewform

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3. ExoExplorer Science Series: Daniel Yaholomi (Columbia) and James Mang (UT Austin) (April 12, 2024, 2pm-3pm EDT/11am-12pm PDT)

"Hi all-

The ExoExplorer Science Seminar Series presents talks by cohort members Daniel Yahalomi (Columbia) & James Mang (UT Austin) on Friday April 12, 2024, from 11 AM - 12 PM Pacific / 2 PM - 3 PM Eastern.

"From Wobbles to Worlds: Exploring the Orbital Landscape of Exoplanet TTVs"
Daniel Yahalomi (Columbia)
and
"Modeling Water Clouds in Substellar Atmospheres in the Era of JWST"
James Mang (UT Austin)

Full connection information and abstracts are at: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/events/498/exoexplorer-science-series-daniel-yahalomi-columbia-james-mang-ut-austin/

For more information about the ExoExplorers program, please visit our website here: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-welcome/

And future talks are posted here: https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exoexplorers/exoexplorers-events/

Please share this talk announcement at your local institution!

This the way,
Rob Zellem, on behalf of the ExoExplorer Organizing Committee"

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.

Weekly: https://caltech.zoom.us/meeting/tZ0oceyppjsqGNS-CBVTMJlJjeO5JmI44_Yu/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGhqz0vG9yVsBuHRpx5GY_oZ-vxiGJfjY1u0TzHNRR-SA_cPOdtZ5hyOYyE

Join Zoom Meeting
https://caltech.zoom.us/j/89565180020

Meeting ID: 895 6518 0020

One tap mobile
+12133388477,,89565180020# US (Los Angeles)
+16699006833,,89565180020# US (San Jose)

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4. ExoPAG SAG 26: Exoplanet Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (Indicate your interest by April 12, 2024)

The Exoplanet Reflectance Spectroscopy Study Analysis Group (SAG 26) seeks new members.

Background: The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), a flagship mission recommended by the Astro2020 decadal survey, would deliver transformative science capabilities for direct imaging and spectroscopic characterization of terrestrial exoplanets, expanding the horizons of human exploration to potentially habitable planets around Sun-like stars. As HWO would push the frontier of exoplanet observations, the determination of its measurement requirements must be based upon the simulation of anticipated planetary spectra and statistical inference of planetary parameters from the spectra, i.e., the spectral retrieval. The notional specification of the wavelength coverage and spectral resolution of earlier mission concepts such as LUVOIR and HabEx were derived from a spectral retrieval exercise based on modern Earth’s spectrum as a template. Multiple groups in the country and abroad have now built spectral simulation and retrieval tools, and substantial progress has been made recently on the potential need for a wide spectral coverage for habitable exoplanets beyond modern Earth analogs.

In this context, it is essential to have a common understanding between different research groups and models about exoplanet reflectance spectroscopy, and this would be best achieved by community intercomparisons and a data challenge that focuses on spectral retrievals, under the auspices of SAG 26. We thus propose a community study to compare and converge on the practices of the simulation and retrieval of the exoplanet reflectance spectra, with a focus on terrestrial exoplanets relevant to HWO. We will aim to:

• compare and cross-validate spectral retrieval tools, including elements as central as opacities,radiative transfer routines, and statistical evaluation algorithms;
• compare and converge on appropriate levels of model complexities (such as the treatment of clouds and radiative transfer model sophistication) based on the expected data characteristics (e.g., wavelength, resolution, SNR);
• organize a blind retrieval challenge open to the entire community and focusing on reflectance spectroscopy of terrestrial exoplanets;
• achieve common understanding of how the wavelength range, spectral resolution, and prior constraints on the planetary mass impact the characterization of different types of terrestrial exoplanets;
• identify key areas of disagreement that could adversely impact HWO science and design; and
• identify the best practices for deriving atmospheric constraints from exoplanet reflectance spectra.

The SAG will provide useful tools and scientific inputs to HWO’s Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START), who will study specific science cases for the mission.

The SAG’s terms of reference has been reviewed and approved by the Astrophysics Advisory Committee. Anticipating formal approval by the NASA Astrophysics Division Director, the SAG co-chairs are now ready to solicit membership from the broad astronomy, Earth and planetary science, data science, and other relevant communities.

In alignment with NASA’s core value of inclusion, the SAG will be committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all participants and will invite candidates from all backgrounds to contribute fully, including in SAG-wide leadership roles. Applications to the SAG are easy and quick, and we encourage applications from community members at all career stages.

If interested, please fill out the form at this website (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdI8Yx0PaRNvaIGEfY-WKyMAG8mzMi2TkvlaEXrxZYPXTmXRA/viewform) by April 12. Questions may be addressed to the ExoPAG EC Chair (Ilaria Pascucci: pascucci@arizona.edu) and the SAG co-chairs Renyu Hu: renyu.hu@jpl.nasa.gov and Tyler Robinson: tdrobin@arizona.edu.

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5. The Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) 2024 (June 10-14, 2024, Ithaca, NY; Application Deadline April 5, 2024)

The Astrobiology Graduate Conference 2024
Hosted at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Proposal Writing Retreat (PWR): June 7th - 10th, 2024, Adirondacks
Conference: June 10th - 14th, 2024
abgradcon.org

Applications are now open until April 5th!

The Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) is organized by graduate students for early career scientists who study the complex and diverse topics that astrobiology encompasses. For over two decades, this conference has been an integral part of the astrobiology community of graduate students and postdocs by fostering small group discussions, scientific presentations, and social activities that promote long-term professional relationships. AbGradCon seeks to build community, provide practical training for early career scientists, and be the catalyst for a more interdisciplinary and inclusive astrobiology community.

This year's conference will be held at Cornell University, located in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The conference will consist of 2.5 days of scientific and collaborative sessions, a public outreach event dedicated to engaging with the general public, and an educational field trip. An intensive proposal writing retreat will be held the weekend before the conference at a lodge in the Adirondack Mountains for a group of 15 graduate students.

There is no registration fee and funding is available for graduate students. We encourage all graduate students and postdocs interested in astrobiology to apply. To learn more about the conference and submit an abstract, visit abgradcon.org!

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6. Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science Symposium IX (ERES IX; July 10-12, 2024, Ithaca, NY; Application Deadline and Abstract Submission Deadline April 12, 2024)​

Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science Symposium IX
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
2024 July 10-12
Registration and abstract submission open through April 12.
https://eres-planets.github.io/

About ERES:

The ninth Emerging Researchers in Exoplanet Science Symposium (ERES IX) will take place 2024 July 10-12 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

ERES is an annual conference by and for early-career scientists (e.g. graduate students, postdocs, postbacs, advanced undergraduates) working in planetary astronomy, Earth sciences, the search for life in the cosmos, and related fields. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for these researchers to present their research to an interested audience and network with peers, as well as to stimulate collaborations among exoplanet, Solar System, and Earth science researchers.

ERES has been held annually on a rotating basis between partner institutions since 2015. The current partner institutions are Cornell, Penn State, Princeton, and Yale.

ERES IX Organizers: Chris O’Connor (Cornell; LOC chair), An Foster (Cornell; SOC chair), Jonas Biren (Cornell), Lígia F. Coelho (Cornell), Trevor Foote (Cornell), Veronica Hegelein (Cornell), Maura Lally (Cornell), Adam Langeveld (Cornell), JT Laune (Cornell), Garrett Levine (Yale; past LOC chair), Rixin Li (UC Berkeley), Darryl Seligman (Cornell), Yubo Su (Princeton)

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7. Interdisciplinary Exoplanet Workshop Ahead of Goldschmidt 2024 (August 17-18, 2024; Chicago)​

Exoplanets! Formation! Evolution! And you! Participate in a great interdisciplinary workshop that will feature talks+discussions from experts in astronomy and geology to help bridge the gap in exoplanet characterization. Because the study of exoplanets lies at the boundary of geology and astronomy, our goal is to expand communications between geologists – especially mineralogists and petrologists, planetary scientists, and astronomers. The hope for our workshop is to spur conversations and initiate collaborations, as well as explain the current state of the field and teach one another about our respective fields.

Dates: August 17-18, 2024 in Chicago, right before Goldschmidt2024

Registration: Cost is $260 (reg) / $210 (students). Includes lunch and coffee for both days, as well as copy of a Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry book on “Exoplanets: Compositions, Mineralogy, Evolution” written by the speakers and edited by Natalie Hinkel, Keith Putirka, and Siyi Xu!

Direct link to workshop information: https://tinyurl.com/Goldschmidt24Exoplanets

If you have any questions, please reach out to Natalie Hinkel at natalie.hinkel@gmail.com.

1. ExoPAG Operating Procedures Document

"Dear ExoPAG,

The ExoPAG Operating Procedures document is now available on the ExoPAG website!

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/internal_resources/2975/ExoPAG-Operating_Procedures.pdf

The document contains important information on how to form a SIG, a SAG, as well as how EC members are appointed. Please share this document with colleagues, on social media, and relevant slack channels.

Have a great weekend,

Ilaria

Professor Ilaria Pascucci
Fellow, American Astronomical Society
Chair, ExoPAG Executive Committee
Department of Planetary Sciences
The University of Arizona
ilariapascucci.com"

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2. REMINDER: ExoPAG 30 (May 5, 2024; Providence RI @ AbSciCon, hybrid)

The Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group is organizing its 30th meeting on May 5th, 2024 in Providence, RI as a splinter session of AbSciCon at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

The ExoPAG 30 meeting will focus on the search for life in the Solar System and beyond and include presentations from various Program Analysis Groups and cross divisional research networks. The overaching goal will be to identify science gaps that span multiple divisions and opportunities for collaborative progress. An interactive business meeting will also be held.

https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag30/exopag30-overview/

Attendees (whether remote or in-person) are urged to please register via the ExoPAG website for logistics and planning purposes https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exep/exopag/exopag30/exopag30-registration/. This is extremely helpful to the organizers.

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3. REMINDER: UV Science and Instrumentation Workshop: On the Way to the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory and Beyond (May 7-9, 2024; Registration Deadline March 25, 2024)

UV Science and Instrumentation Workshop:
On the Way to the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory and Beyond
May 7-9, 2024
von Karman Auditorium, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (& Virtual)
Pasadena, CA
https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/uv/

Please register for the UV Science and Instrumentation Workshop at: https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/workshops/uv/registration/

The optimal number of attendees for this Workshop is 100-120 people. Although there is no fee for attending, for planning purposes, you must complete this Registration Form by Monday, March 25, 2024.

Please email UVWorkshop@jpl.nasa.gov with any questions.

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4. REMINDER: TESS Cycle 7 Call for Proposals (Deadline March 21, 2024)

The TESS General Investigator program provides funding for research with TESS data. The solicitation for funding for Cycle 7 is available on NSPIRES. Cycle 7 proposals are solicited for targets in the Northern and Southern Ecliptic Hemispheres, and in fields along the ecliptic plane. The observations will begin in October 2024 and end in September 2025, and cover Sectors 84 - 96. At least 25% of the proposed work must require new data; the proposed work may include the use of archival data to support investigations using new data. Proposers can request small awards (up to $70K) or large awards (up to $250K). Key Projects are not solicited for Cycle 7. The deadline for TESS GI Cycle 7 proposals is March 21, 2024 at 4.30pm EDT.

https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/tess/proposing-investigations.html

NSPIRES D.10 TESS General Investigator - Cycle 7: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=918701/solicitationId=%7B574AD906-1C28-5997-FEBF-2D3B9195A548%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/D.10%20TESSCycle7_%20Amend75.pdf

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5. ROSES-2024 F.3 Exoplanets Research Program (XRP) (Step-1 deadline April 2, 2024)

Exoplanets Research Program (XRP)
Step-1 Proposals Due April 2, 2024
Step-2 Proposals Due May 31, 2024

The Exoplanets Research Program (XRP) element solicits basic research proposals to conduct scientific investigations that significantly improve our understanding of exoplanets and exoplanet formation. This program element is cross-divisional and jointly managed by four of the Divisions within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate: Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, and Earth Science.

Proposed investigations that combine multiple scientific disciplines or cross traditional Divisional science boundaries, in particular by including topics or analysis techniques from the Heliophysics and/or Earth Science disciplines, are highly encouraged.

Proposed XRP investigations should involve one or more of the following:

• Detection of exoplanets and/or confirmation of exoplanet candidates;
• Characterization of exoplanets and exoplanetary systems (including statistical and demographic studies);
• Studies of exoplanet interactions with their host stars and/or of host star properties that directly impact our understanding of exoplanetary systems;
• Exploration of the chemical and physical processes of exoplanets (including the state and evolution of their surfaces, interiors, and/or atmospheres);
• Improvements to our understanding of the formation and evolution of exoplanets and exoplanetary systems, including studies of protoplanetary/debris disks. XRP supports observational, laboratory, modeling, and theoretical studies. Proposed investigations should involve the collection and analysis of new data, analysis of archival data, collection and interpretation of laboratory data, and/or development of an observationally testable prediction or theory. Proposals must also clearly describe how results will facilitate the interpretation of data from NASA space missions and/or lead to predictions that can be tested with NASA space mission observations.

For more information see:

XRP NSPIRES page: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?solId={F6155A51-0D56-3B33-4ED8-C863F9B144A4}&path=&method=init

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=983519/solicitationId=%7BF6155A51-0D56-3B33-4ED8-C863F9B144A4%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/F.03%20XRP.pdf

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6. NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) Call for Proposals (due April 1, 2024)

Call for Proposals for the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility

DEADLINE: Monday April 1, 2024

NASA Infrared Telescope Facility Observing Proposals. The due date for the 2024B semester (August 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025) is Monday, April 1, 2024. See our online submission form (http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/applicationForms.php), which is available for proposal submission from 12:00AM on March 1, 2024 until 5:00PM on April 1, 2024 HST.

Note that the IRTF now implements the Dual-Anonymous Peer Review (DAPR) of observing proposals. After fine tuning during the first few semesters of DAPR, the guidelines remain unchanged this semester. See the instructions for semester 2024B below.

IRTF DAPR proposal instructions: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/applicationDAPRInfo.php

IRTF Facility Instruments: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/instruments/

NASA IRTF Spring 2024 Newsletter: https://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/information/newsletter.php?2024A

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7. NOIRLab Semester 2024B Call for Proposals (due April 1, 2024)

"Dear Colleague:

The NSF’s NOIRLab has issued a Call for Proposals (CfP) for Semester 2024B CfP can be found at https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/call-for-proposals/

Please read the CfP24B carefully, as some observatories or facilities continue to have their observing protocols and procedures impacted by COVID-19.

The Dual Anonymous Review Process (DARP) for all observing proposals submitted to NOIRLab (including proposals submitted for time on the Gemini telescopes proposals) continues in Semester 2024B. This process requires that the abstract, science justification, and experimental and technical design sections in all observing proposals must be anonymized. In the second stage of the process, additional non-anonymized information relevant to the proposal will be revealed to the review panel in order to obtain a final ranking.

Detailed anonymization instructions for PIs can be found at https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/anonymization-instructions, while a document of FAQ can also be found at https://noirlab.edu/science/observing-noirlab/proposals/faq.pdf .

Time requests for 2024B may be made for Gemini North and South, as well as Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (including SOAR), and Kitt Peak National Observatory on the WIYN 3.5m. Time is also available on the CHARA interferometer, the Keck I and Keck II telescopes, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, and the Magellan I (Baade) and Magellan II (Clay) telescopes. Nights are also available on the Subaru telescope through a time-exchange agreement with Gemini.

We point out a few highlights:

• It is anticipated that NOIRLab time will be available on both the 1m and 2m telescopes comprising the LCOGT network in semester 2024B. 625 hours are available on the 1m telescopes and 100 hours on the 2m telescopes.
• 4 nights in total are available on the Magellan I & II (Baade and Clay) telescopes in 2024B.
• the NN-EXPLORE program, which offers time on the WIYN 3.5m telescope (approximately 40 nights) as well as 300 hours on the precision radial-velocity spectrometer at the MINERVA-Australis exoplanet observatory, operated by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), in Queensland, Australia.
• nights continue to be available on the Keck telescopes, with 3 nights on Keck I and 2 nights on Keck II.
• CHARA has 50 nights available in Semester 2024B.
• AEON time is available on SOAR and Gemini

Questions about the proposal form or the proposal process may be directed to proposal-help@noirlab.edu.

Gemini related questions may be sent to the Gemini Helpdesk at: https://www.gemini.edu/sciops/helpdesk/submit-general-helpdesk-request "

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8. CHEOPS Guest Observers Program - 5th Announcement of Opportunity (Call closes April 25, 2024)

"Dear colleagues,

Invitation

ESA’s Director of Science has the pleasure of inviting you to respond to the 5th Announcement of Opportunity (AO-5) to submit proposals for observations to be performed with CHEOPS (Characterising ExOPlanet Satellite) through the ESA Guest Observers (GO) Programme.

The AO-5 Call has opened on 12 March 2024 at 12:00 (noon) CET and is foreseen to close on 25 April 2024 at 12:00 (noon) CEST.

This announcement solicits proposals for observations during CHEOPS’ first mission extension period to be performed between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025. Scientists from institutes worldwide are invited to participate. All proposals shall be subject to double-anonymous peer-review by the CHEOPS Time Allocation Committee.

The detailed schedule of milestones for this announcement, together with the software tools and documentation needed to prepare proposals, are available from: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/cheops-guest-observers-programme/ao-5

We should appreciate it if you would distribute this invitation to interested colleagues.

ESA’s Director of Science wishes you every success with your CHEOPS observing proposals.

Novelties

The CHEOPS AO-5 Call provides several modernised tools to further enhance the community access and GO experience:

• Brand-new Visibility Checker available via Python scripts and Jupyter notebooks for Phase 1
• Now optional Scheduling Feasibility Checker (SFC) for Phase 1 (now also more lightweight & faster, and only needed for Phase 2)
• Streamlined Proposal Submission and a new Proposal Handling Tool for Phase 1

It also repeats the successful novelties introduced with the first extended mission:

• More targets: only 50 Guaranteed Time Observation (GTO) Programme reserved targets, with all the rest generally being open to the entire Community
• More time: up to 30% science observing time dedicated to the GO Programme
• Modern approach: double-anonymous peer-review of proposals

Why CHEOPS?

ESA’s CHEOPS is the first space mission designed for searching for exoplanetary transits and occultations on bright stars already known to host planets by performing ultrahigh precision photometry. CHEOPS offers the GO observers space-based ultra-high precision photometry for the observation of exoplanet transits, eclipses, occultations, phase-curves, and more. Science cases may range from exoplanets to exomoons, ring structures, stellar activity, trans-Neptunian objects, and beyond. The timely overlap of several space- and ground-based missions can provide opportunities for synergies with NASA/ESA/CSA JWST, NASA/ESA HST, NASA TESS, ESO facilities, and more.

Happy proposing!

Download/Website: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/cheops-guest-observers-programme/ao-5

Contact: cheops-support@cosmos.esa.int

Best regards,
Maximilian Günther & Bruno Merín
CHEOPS Project Scientists"