New Opportunity: Joint Observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

The NRAO and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScl) are entering into an agreement to support joint proposals with NRAO/GBO telescopes (VLA, VLBA, and GBT) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Joint observing proposals will be available starting with NRAO semester 24B (proposal deadline 31 January 2024, with observations commencing in October 2024) and with JWST Cycle 3 (proposal deadline October 2023, with observations commencing in July 2024). Joint proposals will be permitted for the main call for JWST and both semester calls for the NRAO.

NRAO as Main Observatory

The NRAO will be able to award up to 50 hours of JWST time per cycle to highly rated proposals.

Joint proposals requesting JWST time may request standard JWST observing modes. Establishing the technical feasibility of the JWST observations is the responsibility of the PI, who should carefully review the JWST Call for Proposals, JWST Documentation, and/or contact the JWST Helpdesk at jwsthelp.stsci.edu. The JWST Helpdesk offers features to search the documentation and to send your question directly to the appropriate team of experts.

For proposals that are approved by the NRAO, STScI will perform final detailed feasibility checks. STScI reserves the right to reject any NRAO approved Joint Proposal observation that proves infeasible, impossible to schedule, dangerous to the JWST instruments, and/or requires resources beyond those initially approved. Any JWST observations that prove infeasible or impossible could jeopardize the overall science program and may cause revocation of the corresponding NRAO observations. Duplicate JWST observations may also be rejected by the STScI.

Regarding Joint Target of Opportunity (ToO) proposals, no more than one (1) disruptive JWST ToO of the joint program will be performed per JWST Cycle. Furthermore, Ultra-rapid JWST ToO requests (reaction time 2 days or less) will not be accepted for this program; proposals asking for Ultra-rapid JWST ToO observations must be submitted in response to the JWST Call for Proposals, with JWST as the primary observatory. It is mandatory that the PI informs both observatories immediately if the trigger criterion is fulfilled.

STScI will contact successful PIs of joint programs. US-based Investigators of NRAO-JWST Programs are eligible for funding and will be eligible to submit budgets to JWST Grants.

NRAO proposals requesting JWST time must provide a JWST Scientific and Technical Justification to allow the NRAO Time Allocation Committee to evaluate the proposed JWST observations. The JWST Scientific and Technical Justification needs to describe the following aspects:

• Description of how the observations contribute to the goals described in the scientific justification and quantitative estimates of the accuracy required to achieve key science goals. The JWST ETC generally provides sufficient information to determine the necessary exposure time.
• Justification of the selection of instruments, modes, exposure times, and any constraints.
• Special Observational Requirements (if any): Justify any special scheduling requirements on timing or orientation, including time-critical observations.
• Justification of Coordinated Parallels (if any): Proposals that include coordinated parallel observations should provide a scientific justification for and description of the parallel observations. It should be clearly indicated whether the parallel observations are essential to the interpretation of the primary observations or the science program as a whole, or whether they address partly or completely unrelated issues. The parallel observations are subject to scientific review, and can be rejected even if the primary observations are approved.
• Justification of Duplications (if any): as detailed in the JWST Duplicate Observations Policy. Any duplicate observations must be explicitly justified.

At this stage, it is highly recommended that proposers fill out APT templates for each of their requested JWST observations to make sure that they are feasible. This will also allow the observer to account for observatory and instrument overheads in their time request. The observations may also be visualized in Aladin to verify target coverage and any issues with bright stars or extended emission in the field of view. The requested JWST observations will be held to the same technical standards as they are for JWST proposals.

Submission of APT file and PDF attachment with an Extended JWST Scientific and Technical Justification for Joint Programs

Proposers must provide STScI with an APT file that provides a full description of the proposed JWST observations and a PDF attachment. This is to allow STScI staff to conduct a technical review. This is required for all submitted joint proposals. The APT file and associated technical information must be submitted no later than two weeks after the NRAO proposal deadline has passed. The information is as follows:

1. The APT file with the detailed observations. The proposal must have the same Title and Abstract as in the NRAO proposal, adding the NRAO ID to the Abstract so it can be matched to the NRAO program. Proposers should make sure that they the check the “Multi-Observatory” box in the APT coversheet and providing all the requested information.

2. A PDF attachment with an Extended JWST Scientific and Technical Justification. The latter should be provided using the template available here. This text expands upon the information included in the NRAO proposal and is required for the technical review.

JWST as Main Observatory