There are many
X-ray sources
with known coordinates for which the emission is
characterized by unpredictable events,
for example bursting high-mass X-ray binaries, novae, cataclysmic
variables, etc.
Often such events are discovered by general monitoring
programs of candidate sources or sky areas.
Proposals to observe such events with XMM-Newton are permitted.
The proposer has to select the proposal type ``Triggered Observations''.
In addition, such observations must be submitted as ``Fixed-Time''
(``Time critical'' in RPS) observations, see Section 5.4.
Associated with these observations there must be a clear indication
of what triggers the actual observation to be performed and of the
necessary reaction time for scheduling the observation after it is
triggered.
The ``Remarks'' field in RPS should be
used to provide this information.
A request for coordinated observations is not allowed for proposals of
type ``Triggered Observations''.
Given the nature of such events, re-scheduling of the XMM-Newton
observing sequence and update of instrument modes is likely to be
necessary.
Consequently, the observing parameters should be provided on a
best guess basis.
It is the responsibility of the PI of the proposal to alert the SOC when
the triggering condition is met.
To avoid any conflict with a Target of Opportunity (TOO, see Section 5.2.5),
the PI is responsible for providing all necessary information and updates of the observing
parameters immediately after the specified event occurs.
In case of a conflict with an unanticipated TOO (Section 5.2.5.2)
or a pre-planned TOO (Section 5.2.5.1)
the Project Scientist will decide.
The basis of the decision will be the information provided, as
well as the time when the information arrived
at the SOC.
In contrast to all other types of proposals, the OTAC will allocate
observing time to the entire ``Triggered Observations''
proposal and not to individual targets.
This offers the possibility to propose a list of candidates,
without specifying which of the sources will finally be
observed.
OTAC is allowed to only accept a subset of the candidates.
For every source in a candidate list a separate observation form
has to be filled-in within the RPS.