Hubble Multi-Cycle Treasury Programs

Introduction

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was launched in 1990. Over the past 17 years, it has revolutionised diverse fields spanning the gamut of astronomical research. Servicing Mission 4 (SM4) was completed successfully in May 2009. SM4 saw the installation of two new instruments in HST, Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS). WFC3 is the first wide-field imager at near-infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths, and COS has unparalleled sensitivity for spectroscopy in the near and far-UV. In addition, repairs were made to the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). While testing is still underway, current indications are positive for STIS and for the Wide Field Channel on ACS (ACS/WFC). The prime goal of SM4 is to maximise the scientific return from HST over the next 5 years. With that goal in mind, we are augmenting the current range of proposal types by adding the new category of Multi-Cycle Treasury Programs.

The Announcement of Opportunity can be found here.

Past HST Multi-Cycle Treasury Programs

Figure 1 Size distribution of HST Large and Treasury programs

HST has offered the category of Treasury Program in every cycle since Cycle 11. Treasury Programs are large-scale proposals that address complex, high-impact scientific issues, providing enhanced datasets that are of lasting value to the broader astronomical community. Over the past 7 cycles, the HST TAC has accepted 12 Treasury Programs. The programs range from detailed investigations of the kinematics and chemistry of Eta Carinae and maps of the Orion Nebula, to surveys of the Coma galaxy cluster and deep imaging of the GOODS and COSMOS fields.

Typical successful Large or Treasury Programs request 100 to 200 orbits of HST observations (the median value is ~130). The ACS Nearby Galaxy Survey, PANS, GOODS and COSMOS are notable exceptions, with 295, 420, 398 and 590 orbit allocations, respectively.

Multi Cycle Treasury Programs

Over the past 18 months we have been exploring the potential for enabling larger-scale programs with HST, programs that can address transformational scientific questions that cannot be accommodated within the current time allocation process. In late 2007, the community was asked to submit white papers outlining potential science programs (http://www.stsci.edu/institute/org/spd/HST-MCTP-Whitepaper/). A total of 22 papers were submitted, and reviewed be a small ad hoc committee.

On the basis of the committee's report http://www.stsci.edu/hst/proposing/docs/MCTP-report.pdf , the Director decided to explore means of implementing this type of programs through discussions with the Space Telescope Users' Committee. The following parameters emerged from those discussions:

  1. Multi Cycle Programs will be assessed separately from standard HST proposals;
  2. There will be no restriction or pre-selection of science topics;
  3. The MCT TAC may recommend rejection of all proposals if, in their judgment, none merit allocation of this level of resources. Any selected programs will have zero proprietary time;
  4. The selection process will be completed before the standard Cycle 18 Phase I deadline;
  5. Up to 750 orbits per cycle may be allocated to MCT Programs, starting in Cycle 18. These orbits are drawn primarily from the current allocation to Large & Treasury programs, supplemented by Director’s Discretionary Time. This minimizes the impact on the time available for small and medium programs.
  6. MCT Programs may request time allocations in any future cycle provided there is a clear scientific justification;
  7. Calls for MCT Programs will not be issued on an annual basis. A future call may be issued, depending on the response to the current call and the future health of HST. However, the community should be aware that this may be the only call for proposals of this type.

Announcement

NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute announce their intention of circulating a Call for Multi Cycle Treasury Programs. At this juncture, we expect that the following instruments will be available: Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS), the Advanced Camera for Surveys Wide Field Channel (ACS/WFC) and Solar Blind Channel (ACS/SBC), the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and the Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS).

The MCT Program provides an opportunity for the HST community to address high impact scientific questions that require observational resources beyond the scope of the standard time allocation process. Proposed programs must meet the following criteria:

  1. The project must offer the potential of solving key, high-impact scientific question or questions that cannot be addressed through the standard HST time allocation process.
  2. MCT Programs may enable a broad variety of compelling scientific investigations; however, they may also focus on one specific question.
      We outline the following preliminary schedule:
      • mid-August 2009 - MCT Program Call for Proposal released
      • August 14 2009 - submission deadline for non-binding Notice of Intent (NOI):
        Note that we are not soliciting NOIs at the present time – details will be available later in June.
      • Mid-November 2009- Phase I deadline
      • Early January 2010 - MCT Program TAC meeting
      Any successful MCT Programs will be selected before the Cycle 18 Phase I deadline, currently scheduled for March 2010.

      A final schedule, including full details on the NOI submission, will be circulated in late June 2009.


      Last Updated June 17, 2009 by N. Reid