FAQ for Multi Cycle Observations

What is a Multi-Cycle Observation Proposal (MCOP)?

Proposers whose science calls for constrained observations over a period longer than one year, may include requests for up to a 3-year time period in a single proposal. This will be useful, for example, for long-term monitoring programs. Proposals must request time in Cycle 14, and justify both the requirement for multi-cycle observations and the allocation of time across the multiple cycles.

A maximum of 2 Msec of Cycle 15 and 1 Msec of Cycle 16 observing time may be allocated to MCOPs in Cycle 14, if scientifically justified and subject to the continued availability of that time.

The proprietary period for data from multi-cycle targets begins when 90% of the data for any given target (as allocated to each cycle) has been made available to the observer.

RPS form for MCOPs

I am writing a proposal for a multi-cycle observation and I want a target to be observed for 200 ksec in Cycle 14, then again in Cycles 15 and 16 for the same amount of time (for a total of 600ksec). How do I fill up the RPS form?

In the RPS Cover Page the question Is this a multi-cycle observing proposal? should be answered YES (Y).

Figure 1: Multi-Cycle Flag

Figure 1: Multi-Cycle Flag

The multi-cycle flag has been marked yes.

In the RPS Target Page the total observing time for all cycles combined (600 ksec in this example) should be entered in addition to the projected time for Cycle 15 and Cycle 16 (200 ksec each in this example)

Figure 2: Multi-Cycle Times

Figure 2: Multi-Cycle Times

Total multi-cycle observing time and projected time for future cycles.

Note that the total observing time will be calculated by the RPS from the individual Target Pages and indicated on the RPS cover page.

If multi-cycle observations are requested for a given target, the proposer must specify the observing constraints that require the observations to extend into future cycles (see following FAQ).

Observing Constraints

How do I specify the observing contraints in future cycles?

All observing contraints for Cycle 14 and for future cycles should be specified in the Target page in the RPS form.

Figure 3: Future Cycle Constraints

Figure 3: Future Cycle Constraints

Specify future cycle constraints in Constraint section of the Target Page.

Multi-cycle observations may not be requested as a preference.
Constraints must be well-justified scientifically in the proposal.
The PI must estimate based on these constraints the amount of time required in Cycle 15 and 16 for each such target, assuming the earliest feasible start date for the first target observations. For accounting purposes, the cycles are defined below:

Cycle 13 from 01-NOV-2012 00:00 through 31-OCT-2013 23:59
Cycle 14 from 01-NOV-2013 00:00 through 31-OCT-2014 23:59
Cycle 15 from 01-NOV-2014 00:00 through 31-OCT-2015 23:59

XVP proposals and MCOPs

I am writing an XVP proposal with no specific time constraints for which data can be accumulated over more than one cycle. I would like to exploit MCOPs to minimize the impact of exposure time per cycle. Does such a proposal qualify as a MCOP in Cycle 14?

No it does not.
An XVP proposal can be a MCOPs only if it is time constrained, and the constraint is needed to achieve well defined science goals. MCOPs cannot be defined as such to minimize the impact in terms of exposure time per cycle. That is not a valid reason.
If approved, an XVP might well be scheduled over 2-3 cycles for technical reasons, but this is up to the Chandra mission planners.

TOO in MCOPs

I am proposing to observe a variable source and would like to observe it in Cycle 15 only if the flux is brighter than a specified value. Can I propose for a TOO in future cycles?

No, this is not possible. Only Cycle 14 time can be requested with a scientific trigger. Only follow-up observations are allowed in future cycles.

Joint Time in MCOPs

Can I ask for joint (HST/XMM /NOAO/NRAO/Suzaku) time in future cycles?

Yes, up to 10% and 5% of the available joint time in Cycles 15 and 16 respectively may be allocated to multi-cycle observing proposals if scientifically justified and subject to the continued availability of that time (see Section 4.5 of the CfP).

More Information on MCOPs

I read all the FAQs about multi-cycle observations, but I still have questions. Where can I find more information?

The Cycle 14 Call for Proposal is the definitive document where MCOPs are defined and explained. For further questions please contact the Chandra HelpDesk.