Call for GBT Proposals - Trimester 10A

Call for GBT Proposals - Trimester 10A
Deadline: 1 October 2009, 5:00 P.M., EST (21:00 UTC)

The 1 October deadline will cover the 10A observing period from 1 February 2010 through 31 May 2010. 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), 12.0-15.4 GHz (Ku), 18.0-26.5 GHz (K), 26.0-39.5 GHz (Ka), 38.2-49.8 GHz (Q) receivers and Mustang (80-100 GHz Bolometer Array).

Available observing modes include spectral line (including cross-polarization), continuum, pulsar, and VLBI/VLBA. The VLBA back end with Mark5A disk recorder may be used as a high-time resolution (> 2 ns) backend for single-dish observing. Details of all GBT observing modes are described in the Proposer's Guide. Proposers should also consult the more general document "The Performance of the GBT: A Guide for Planning Observations"

In addition to regular GBT proposals, we will be accepting at this deadline large proposals that follow the restrictions and guidelines outlined at the Large Proposal Policy.

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 GBT will be scheduled by the Dynamic Scheduling System (DSS) during the 10A trimester. Note that the DSS 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.

The development of the GUPPI pulsar backend is progressing rapidly. The incoherent filterbank modes on GUPPI are now complete, and supersede all modes on the pulsar Spigot. As a result, the Pulsar Spigot on the spectrometer is due to be retired by June 2010. No new requests for use of the Pulsar Spigot will be accepted at this call for proposals.

The MUSTANG bolometer is being upgraded to improve its sensitivity and increase its field of view. However, as its properties will not be known by the 1 October deadline, all proposals should be submitted assuming the currently published sensitivity and field of view listed in the Proposer's Guide.

The Ka-band receiver underwent extensive testing this summer. Upates on its status can be found here and includes information that should be used in the preparation of any Ka-band proposals.

The K-band Focal Plane Array (KFPA) is on track to become available in the fall of 2010. It is anticipated that the KFPA may replace the current K-band receiver if its performance is equivalent with the current K-band receiver's performance.

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 will be accepted at the 1 October 2009 deadline and are now made through an integrated feature of the Proposal Submission Tool (PST). Information about the program can be found at The NRAO Student Observing Support Program

We remind proposers of the NRAO policy requesting a Plan of Dissertation (NRAO Proposal Policies) as part of the support for PhD dissertations using NRAO facilities. If the proposal is part of a dissertation thesis and either a Plan of Dissertation has never been submitted or a previously submitted Plan has undergone major changes, then use the NRAO PST to submit a new or revised Plan of Dissertation.

Proposers must use the NRAO Proposal Submission Tool available at the link http://www.gb.nrao.edu/nraoPST.htm or directly from the NRAO Interactive Services at http://my.nrao.edu. Several modifications to the PST have been made and will be in place starting 12:00 EST (noon) Monday, 14 September 2009. (See PST Release Notes Oct 2009 for details on recent changes). 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 policy for observing with the GBT, including a description of the strict restrictions concerning remote observing, can be found at GBT Observing Policies

Proposal receipt will open on 12:00 EDT (noon) Monday, 14 September 2009 and will close at 17:00 EDT (21:00 UTC) on Thursday, 1 October 2009.

Technical questions or questions about the proposal process may be addressed to Toney Minter (304-456-2275 or tminter@nrao.edu). Questions about the PST should be sent to proposal@aoc.nrao.edu.