XRISM Guest Scientist (XGS) Call for Proposals

Through the XGS program, scientists who are not XRISM Science Team members may apply to participate in the observation planning and data analysis of individual PV phase targets. All proposals should describe the complementary and/or enhancing scientific expertise that the proposer would bring to a Target Team. The list of the PV Targets can be found here. Further information regarding the solicitation, including instructions on how to submit a proposal may be found in the ROSES solicitation. Tools for developing proposals, such as response files and simulation software, can be found on the Proposals and Tools page. For questions regarding the XGS Program or XRISM in general, please contact the help desk.

Below is a list of potential areas of expertise that could complement the XRISM Science Team. Expertise for a potential XGS applicant is not limited to the items below; we welcome proposals from any scientist who can add their expertise to the PV phase of the mission.

1. Data analysis techniques

   Resolve enables, for the first time, high-resolution non-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy with an unprecedented energy-resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, particularly in the 2-10 keV energy band. Data analysis will most likely present new challenges. Moreover, the moderate angular resolution of XRISM implies that the analysis of the Resolve data of extended sources will be particularly complex. Therefore, the XRISM Science Team welcomes expertise from scientists who have knowledge or experience in:

   • Machine learning approach for line detection, transient search, etc.
   • Data cube modeling and analysis
   • Machine learning approach for line detection, transient search, Point Spread Function deconvolution etc.
   • Modeling line broadening due to complex spatial and velocity structures (in, e.g., galaxy clusters, SNRs)
   • Transfer function modeling for time lag analysis (AGN)
   • Doppler tomography (in compact binary objects)
   • Cross-calibration with other X-ray operational missions


2. Spectral diagnostics and atomic physics

   The unprecedented spectral resolution of Resolve will also allow us to detect spectral features that are unexpected or uncertain in currently available spectral codes due to the paucity of experimental data or limitations in theoretical calculations. Therefore, experts on theoretical or experimental atomic physics related to the following topics are welcome.

   • Charge exchange
   • Dust X-Ray Absorption/Scattering Fine Structure (XAFS/XSFS)
   • Multiple ionization process by ion-ion interaction
   • Extremely low ionization non-equilibrium plasma
   • Non-Maxwellian plasma
   • Photoionization


3. Theoretical insight and/or numerical simulations

   Resolve spectroscopic data will push the boundaries of our knowledge of astrophysics in several area. The XRISM Science Team expects that the XRISM results will fundamentally challenge existing paradigms, and welcome experts on theoretical models and simulations to support the interpretation of the data and contribute to an advancement of the theoretical understanding in our field. The required expertise includes, but is not limited to, the following aspects.

   For Extragalactic (galaxies, clusters) science:
   • Feedback from active galactic nuclei in cool cores
   • Hydrodynamic modeling of the intracluster medium
   (e.g. turbulence/stripping/sloshing/cold front)
   • Hydrodynamic modeling of starburst winds
   • Supernova nucleosynthesis modeling
   For Galactic diffuse (SNRs, ISM) science:
   • Supernova nucleosynthesis modeling
   • Dust creation and destruction in SNe and SNR shocks
   • Hydrodynamic modeling of SNR evolution
   • Theoretical expertise in shock heating, including cosmic-ray acceleration
   For Extragalactic compact science:
   • Accretion disk theory
   • Formation and structure of Broad and Narrow Line Regions and the "torus" in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)
   • AGN outflows/jets and their interaction with the nuclear environment and the Interstellar Medium
   • AGN/star formation connection
   • AGN population study (particularly on non-blazar radio-loud AGN)
   For Galactic compact (stellar objects) science:
   • Wind launching mechanisms, including line driven winds and MHD simulations in binary systems
   • Disk reflection modelling
   • Relativistic jets in galactic objects
   • Simulations of colliding winds in binaries and binary systems evolution
   • State-of-art mass-radius relations models in white dwarfs


4. Multiwavelength observations of specific PV targets

   Applications are welcome from scientists who have access to, and expertise in the analysis of multiwavelength data that can facilitate the interpretation of the XRISM data of a specific PV target.