Continuing Opportunity: Joint Observations with IXPE

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission are entering into a reciprocal and cooperative agreement for coordinated observations on a competitive basis.  Joint observing proposals will begin with NRAO semester 25B (proposal deadline 29 January  2025, with observing commencing in August 2025) and IXPE Cycle 2 (proposal deadline 29 August 2024, with observations commencing in February 2025).

 

NRAO as Main Observatory: The NRAO can award up to 300 ks of IXPE observing time per year.  Observing time on IXPE may be time constrained, including coordinated and monitoring observations, and targets of opportunity.  Up to one IXPE target of opportunity observation per year at medium or lower priority is permitted.

IXPE data sets typically have no exclusive use period and are released publicly via the HEASARC data archive within 14 days of the observations, but proposers may request a proprietary period of up to 6 months.  Successful NRAO investigators may be eligible for IXPE GO funding for proposals that include U.S.-based PIs or Co-Is.

 

IXPE as Main Observatory: IXPE can award up to 5% of the NRAO scientific observing time available on the VLA, VLBA, and GBT or up to 200-300 hours per year on each telescope.  Allocation of time on ALMA is not covered by this agreement.  Individual requests for 200 hours or more time on NRAO telescopes will not be eligible for time.

NRAO data will be the property of the PI for the standard 12 month proprietary period.  The peer-reviewed IXPE GO proposal evaluation process will identify proposals with sufficient merit to be allocated IXPE observing time and funding.

Connect with NRAO

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

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF 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. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. 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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