Swift Proposals & Tools
Jump to:- Cycle
9—Recommended Targets
- Cycle 9—Schedule and Details
- Cycle
8—Recommended Targets
- Cycle
8—Schedule and Details
- Cycle 7—Recommended Targets
- Cycle 6—Recommended Targets
- Cycle 5—Recommended Targets
- Cycle 4—Recommended Targets
- Target of Opportunity Requests
- Status of Grants (for Accepted Swift Proposals)
- Previously Accepted Swift
Proposals:
- Swift Cycle 1 Accepted Proposals
- Swift Cycle 2 NSPIRES page with link to PDF file containing 2005 Selection List
- Swift Cycle 3 NSPIRES page with link to PDF file containing 2006 Selection List
- Planning Tools (simulate Swift spectra, etc.)
Schedule for Swift Cycle 9
- ROSES
2012 NRA released: February 14, 2012.
- ROSES 2012 Appendix D.5 "Swift Guest Investigator Cycle 8"
- Notices of Intent: no NOIs are due for Swift Cycle 9
- Phase 1 proposals due: September 26, 2012
- Phase 1 proposal Review: December 2012
- Cycle 9 observations begin: April 1, 2013
- Cycle 9 observations end: March 31, 2014
Schedule for Swift Cycle 8
- ROSES
2011 NRA released: February 18, 2011.
- ROSES 2011 Appendix D.5 "Swift Guest Investigator Cycle 8" amended: July 14, 2011
- Notices of Intent: no NOIs are due for Swift Cycle 8
- Phase 1 proposals due: September 28, 2011
- Phase 1 proposal Review: December, 2011
- Cycle 8 observations begin: April 1, 2012
- Cycle 8 observations end: March 31, 2013
Swift Target of Opportunity Requests
The Swift MOC considers requests for Target of Opportunity (TOO) observations on timely non-GRB targets of astrophysical interest. For more information, and to submit a TOO request visit the Swift MOC's TOO page.
Status of Swift Grants (for previously accepted Swift proposals):
NASA/GSFC Grant Status PageNASA Shared Service Services Grant Status Page
Planning Tools
Want to get an idea of how the BAT, XRT and UVOT instruments will perform on your favorite source? Check out our Swift simulation tools!
- XSPEC
Response matrix files and ancillary response files for BAT, XRT, and UVOT are available for download here. Example scripts for the generation of simulated spectral data using these calibration files and the X-ray spectral fitting package XSPEC are available here.
- WebSpec
To simulate spectra on-line, use WebSpec, the WWW interface to XSPEC. A variety of spectra models are available from the page. Use any of these to predict your Swift BAT, XRT or UVOT spectrum.
- WebPIMMS
If count rates are what you are after, visit WebPIMMS, a mission count rate simulator powered by PIMMS --- the Portable, Interactive Multi-Mission Simulator. Choose a flux, or count rate from any of a wide variety of previous and current missions, then convert it into Swift BAT, XRT and UVOT count rates.
- XRT data simulations
The ASI Science Data Center in Italy have provided a web-based XRT Data Simulation tool. The tool creates science-like event FITS files from simulated or real sky fields.
- XRT optical loading
Bright optical sources can leak through the thin XRT optical blocking filter, causing "optical loading" that can severely complicate or compromise analysis of the X-ray data. There are several possible mitigations to this problem, but no good solutions. In general, objects with V < 8 mag should not be observed in PC mode. Objects with V < 5 mag should not be observed in any mode, as the data will be poorly calibrated and may be useless. If you have an extremely compelling science case that requires such an observation, we strongly suggest that you contact the Swift XRT team (burrows@astro.psu.edu or kennea@swift.psu.edu) to discuss the observation before submitting your proposal.
- UVOT signal-to-noise calculator
The UVOT instrument team at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory have developed a web-based tool for calculating S/N, background levels, and sensitivity limits.
- UVOT Bright Star Checker
Every PI needs to use the UVOT Bright Star Checker to see if there are bright sources in the UVOT field of view that might prohibit the use of UVOT or impact the scientific objectives of your proposed observation.
- BAT maps
If it's the BAT Field of View you're interested in, check out the BAT partial coding maps made available by the BAT team.
- Viewing
To determine when, or if, a given object can be viewed by Swift, use the Viewing tool.
If you have a question about Swift, please contact us via the Feedback form.