Joint Observations with Space Telescopes

The following opportunities are available to combine observations with the VLBA and several space observatories operating at very different wavelengths.  (Joint observations combining the VLBA with other ground-based VLBI instruments are embedded in the periodic VLBA Call for Proposals, and described in the VLBA Observational Status Summary.)  The following joint observation opportunities with the LBO will continue in semester 2019A via existing arrangements.  (For 2019A, the agreement with XMM-Newton is new.)

Joint Observations with XMM-Newton Project

By agreement with the NRAO/GBO/LBO Observatories, detailed in a Memorandum of Understanding, the XMM-Newton Project may award up to 3% of NRAO/GBO/LBO open skies observing time.  Similarly the NRAO/GBO/LBO Time Allocation Committee may award up to 150 ks of XMM-Newton time per year.  See the Joint Observations with XMM-Newton page for details.

Joint Observations with Chandra X-ray Observatory

In previous semesters, the community has had the opportunity to propose for observing time on NRAO facilities through a joint program with the Chandra X-ray Observatory.  Beginning in semester 2016A, proposers to the NRAO have had the opportunity to request time on Chandra, to be awarded on the recommendation of the Telescope Allocation Committee (TAC) and approved by the Director.  This arrangement now applies to facilities of the LBO.  Up to 120 ksec total will be made available for NRAO, LBO, and GBO proposals annually.  See the Joint Observations with Chandra page for details.

Joint Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

By agreement between the NRAO and the Space Telescope Science Institute, STScI will be able to award up to 3% of the available time on the VLBA, VLA, and GBT to highly ranked proposals that request time on those telescopes and on HST.  In return, STScI has offered 30 orbits of HST time for allocation by the NRAO, LBO, and GBO TACs to proposals submitted for observing semesters 2018B and 2019A.   See the Joint Observations with HST page for details.

Joint Observations with Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission

To foster correlative observations, a joint Swift/NRAO observing program has been established, detailed in a Memorandum of Understanding. By this agreement, the Swift Program permits the NRAO, LBO, and GBO to award up to 300 kiloseconds of Swift observing time per year.   Similarly, the Swift Guest Investigator (GI) Program may award observing time on the VLBA, VLA, and GBT.  See the Joint Observations with Swift page for details.

Joint Observations with Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope

We remind the community that it is possible to propose for observing time on LBO facilities through the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope Joint Proposal Opportunity or the Cooperative Proposal Opportunity.  See the Joint Observations with Fermi page for details.