MAST has released the JWST Duplicate Observation Search tool (see Figure 1), designed to help investigators determine if their proposed JWST observations are likely to duplicate existing or planned observations (see the JWST Duplicate Observations Policy). The new tool is optimized to identify potential duplications by matching an APT Observation Template, plus a selection of optical element(s) and target coordinates, to observations in the JWST program database. Constraints on other metadata, such as phase coverage for exoplanet light curves, may also be applied.

This tool does have limitations, in that it does not provide information on the exposure duration of combined observations, nor does it show the spatial footprints of matched observations on a sky background. See the JWST Duplicate Observation Search documentationfor a comparison of alternative tools that provide exposure information and footprints. Observers should use APT to check the matches identified by the search tool and determine if their proposed observations are similar enough to require a duplication justification.

JWST Observers interested in learning about this new tool (and other JWST Cycle 4 updates) are encouraged to join the What’s New in JWST Cycle 4 JWebbinar on September 10^th. Please contact the MAST Help Deskwith any questions or feedback on the tool.