Continuing Opportunity: Joint Observations with NICER

The NRAO and NASA  are entering into an agreement to support joint proposals with NRAO/GBO telescopes and the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission.

Joint observing proposals will begin with NRAO semester 24A (proposal deadline August 2023, with observing commencing in February 2024) and NICER Cycle 6 (proposal deadline September 2023, with observations commencing in March 2024).

 

NRAO as Main Observatory: The NRAO can award up to 250 ks of NICER observing time per year.  Observing time on NICER may be time constrained (e.g., targets of opportunity).  This includes monitoring that precedes, follows, and/or (for ToOs) triggers NRAO observing time.

NICER data will not be proprietary to the PI and will be released publicly within 14 days of the observations, consistent with NICER’s routine operations.  No funds will be awarded from the NICER mission when the NRAO is the main observatory.

 

NICER as Main Observatory: NICER can award up to 5% of the NRAO/GBO scientific observing time available on the VLA, GBT, and VLBA, or up to 200-300 hours per year on each telescope.  Allocation of time on ALMA is not covered by this agreement. 

NRAO/GBO data will be the property of the PI for the standard 12 month proprietary period.  NICER will make funding available to successful U.S.-based investigators who request NRAO/GBO observing time through the NICER GO process.

Connect with NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

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