- How much time will be allocated to non-GRB non-ToO observations?
2 Ms. A total of 2 million seconds of observing time will be made available to the non-ToO GI program during Cycle 20. Note that the Fill-in Target program is separate, and has its own time allocation (1 Ms).
- Will Swift slew to my non-GRB, non-ToO source autonomously?
No. Swift GI observations will be performed only as the result of an uploaded ground command through the normal planning process and will not be slewed to autonomously.
- What priority will non-GRB, non-ToO observations have in Swift's observing schedule?
Low. GI observations will have a lower scheduling priority than GRBs or ToOs and will be observed on a best-effort basis when time is available in the observing schedule.
- Am I assured of obtaining all awarded observing time on my non-GRB, non-ToO target?
No. Because of Swift's observing restrictions, successful GIs should be aware that they are not assured 100 percent of the time awarded. Every effort will be made to observe 80% or more of an accepted program within schedule limitations of the mission.
- What rules and limitations should I be aware of for non-GRB, non-ToO Swift observations?
- There are limits on observation length. Please see our FAQ question "What are the restrictions on observation length?" for further details.
- There are restrictions on monitoring programs, where "monitoring" is defined as 2 or more visits to the same target. Please see our FAQ question about monitoring, above.
- You may NOT combine ToO and non-ToO observations in a single proposal. If you wish to perform both ToO and non-ToO observations, please see the guidelines in the answer to our FAQ question, "Can I combine ToO and non-ToO observations in a single proposal?".
- There is no carry-over time from Cycle 19 to Cycle 20. Therefore, GIs whose observing programs are not completed in Cycle 19 will be required to repropose in Cycle 20 if they wish to acquire more observing time on their targets of interest.
- Only "Key Projects" observing programs may be carried over from Cycle 20 to Cycle 20. For regular proposals, there will be no time carried over from Cycle 20 to Cycle 20, except when observing for an awarded program has commenced during Cycle 20. GIs whose observing programs have not begun in Cycle 20 will be required to repropose if they wish to acquire observing time. Targets whose observations have commenced in Cycle 20 will be awarded carryover time in Cycle 20 until the proposed observations are substantially complete.