Before an XMM-Newton observation can be released for scheduling several checks must be completed to ensure that the proposed instrument configuration is safe and is suitable for the proposals scientific goals. The inflight performances of the instruments differ slightly from those predicted before launch. It is therefore necessary to revise the assumptions made at the time of the proposal submission.
This process is called proposal enhancement. Only after the proposal enhancement process is successfully completed can the XMM-Newton proposals be released for scheduling.
In the absence of user-defined constraints, the planning of an XMM-Newton observation is ultimately determined by the optimization of the observing efficiency and potential scientific return. The Principal Investigator (PI) will be contacted by the XMM-Newton Science Operation Center (SOC) at the most appropriate time to start the enhancement process.
Listed below are the most important features of the enhancement process;
- proposals are enhanced as a whole. Enhancement of a single observation, without simultaneous enhancement of all the other observations contained in the same proposal, is not possible
- each proposal is evaluated by the XMM-Newton SOC with respect to instrument safety and scientific optimization;
- the outcome of this analysis is communicated to the proposal PI by the SOC. For each identified problem, the SOC provides the PI with suggestions for a possible solution;
- further iterations may be needed, until an agreement between the SOC and the PI is reached. In principle no XMM-Newton observation can be released for scheduling without agreement from the PI;
- the PI will be immediately informed when her/his observation has actually been scheduled
In order to minimize the risk of information losses or errors the following rules must be followed;
xmmpi@sciops.esa.int
- all correspondence concerning the enhancement process must be sent to the following e-mail address: xmmpi@sciops.esa.int. This account is actually a link to a database, where all information concerning the enhancement process is archived for traceability
- any other communications concerning a proposal (coordinate change requests, coordinated observations, substitute PI nomination) must also be sent to the xmmpi@sciops.esa.int email account
- each e-mail sent to the xmmpi@sciops.esa.int account must contain the proposal number in the Subject: line
- each e-mail must refer to one, and only one, proposal (i.e.: if a PI requests a coordinate change for two of his/her proposals, he/she must submit two separate e-mails, one for each of them
We appreciate your cooperation, and wish you exciting science with your XMM-Newton observations.
Matteo Guainazzi
Comments from A.Brinkman and K.Mason are gratefully acknowledged
