GSFC XMM-Newton GOF Status Report #064: AO-3 Dates / Publications

[Michael Arida <arida@milkyway.gsfc.nasa.gov>]

NASA/GSFC XMM-Newton GOF
20 February 2003

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1) XMM-Newton AO-3 Dates

2) Analyze, Publish, or Perish

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1) XMM-Newton AO-3 Dates

I urge all prospective XMM-Newton GOs to start considering their 
AO-3 proposals.  While it is still almost a month before the AO 
will be released, the proposal period will only last about six 
weeks.  

AO-3 Release:  17 March 2003
AO-3 Deadline: 30 April 2003

On the very positive side, proposal submission will be much 
easier this time around.  The RPS system for the initial 
submission functions well (so far I've tested it on both 
Linux/Netscape and Windows/Internet Explorer with good results) 
and requires much less input than previous AOs.  Successful GOs 
will have to use XRPS for detailed exposure parameter entry, but 
only for accepted targets.  There will be a limit on the size of
the uploaded scientific justification files so don't expect to 
upload 100 Mb, the limit will be announced later.  Remember the 
mantra, smaller (file size, not the justification) is better.  
Also, it will still be better to not wait until the last minute 
to do the proposal submission.  (I say the same thing to my kids 
regarding their homework assignments but they don't listen to me 
either.)

Steve Snowden for the XMM-Newton GOF

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2) Analyze, Publish, or Perish

We would also like to urge the community to pursue the analysis 
of the existing XMM-Newton data, both their own proprietary data
and observations from the archive.  The data are spectacular and
the current software and calibrations are in pretty good shape.
Our success next year in requesting GO funds from the Senior 
Review will be very dependent on the publication rate for US
GOs.  A few useful sites:

ESA Archive: http://xmm.vilspa.esa.es/xsa/ 
GSFC Archive Mirror Site: 
        http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xmm/xmmhp_archive.html
Calibration Information: 
        http://xmm.vilspa.esa.es/external/xmm_sw_cal/calib/index.shtml
Mission Software: http://xmm.vilspa.esa.es/sas/

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Dr. Steve Snowden
USRA
XMM Guest Observer Facility
NASA/GSFC, Code 662
Greenbelt, MD  20771
Phone: 301-286-8100
Fax:   301-286-1684
E-mail: snowden@riva.gsfc.nasa.gov
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