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\title{\textbf{Personal projects (1)}\\
Preparation of an observing proposal}
\author{G. Perrin, F. Malbet\\
        Observatoire de Paris (LESIA)\\
        Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Grenoble (LAOG)}
\date{\textbf{Euro Summer School}\\
  \emph{Observation and Data reduction with the Very Large Telescope
    Interferometer} \\
4-16 June 2006, Goutelas (France)}
\maketitle

\begin{abstract}
  This exercise is aimed at building a complete observing program for
  the VLTI. It consists in defining the scientific rationale and
  immediate objectives, ensure that the targets are observable, define
  the VLTI configuration, model the astrophyiscal source and estimate
  the correlated magnitude and the number of observations required.
  At the end one should be able to define the total time requested and
  the final configuration.  This exercise is a simulation of the work
  required to eventually request time on the VLTI. Each proposal will
  be made by a party of 3.
\end{abstract}
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\section{Objectives} 

The objective of this work session is to prepare a complete proposal
for observing with the VLTI using the tools that have been introduced
during the week. The result will be presented on Saturday 10 afternoon
morning with a comment on the problems that you have encountered using
either powerpoint, openoffice or pdf slides (maximum of 5 slides).

\section{Input data} 

Take one of your favorite astrophysical topics for which you would
like to request some VLTI observing time and proceed as you would do
with a normal proposal. Choose AMBER or MIDI (or both) depending on
your astrophysical objectives.

\section{Output data}

\begin{enumerate}
\item Explicit in brief the scientific rationale: general
  astrophysical context, why VLTI is useful and which astrophysical
  issue it will help to tackle.
\item Explain the immediate objectives, i.e.\ why VLTI and the
  instrument chosen can answer a particular question.
\item List the targets you want to observe with the appropriate magnitudes
  (JHK for AMBER, N for MIDI) but also the V magnitude and spectral type
  for active guiding 
\item give the requested VLTI configuration: 
  \begin{enumerate}
  \item Telescopes: UT/AT 
  \item Baseline(s) 
  \item Number of visibility measurements required and at which hour
    angle range.
  \item Schedule constrains: dark moon, part of the night 
  \end{enumerate} 
\item Give the requested instrument configuration (cf. instrument
  presentations): 
  \begin{enumerate}
  \item spectral configuration 
  \item other parameters
  \item required accuracy (visibility or phase)
  \end{enumerate}
\item calibrators: strategy, list of calibrator stars
\item technical feasibility: 
  \begin{enumerate}
  \item expected visibility range 
  \item preferred month of observation
  \item total observing time
  \end{enumerate}
\item preparation tasks if any 
%\item plan for interpreting the data 
\item general conclusion on the exercise
\end{enumerate}

\section{Material}
You may use 
\begin{itemize}
\item SIMBAD: \texttt{http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/sim-fid.pl}, 
\item the Catalog of Infrared Observations (CIO, Gezari 1999) in ViZieR
  (II/225/Catalog): \texttt{http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/VizieR},
\item ASPRO : standalone version, full interface or \textbf{ASPRO Light} 
 (\texttt{http://www.mariotti.fr/aspro})
\item the Astrophysics Data System:
  \texttt{http://adswww.harvard.edu/index.html}
\item and/or another toolset of your choice
\end{itemize}
to produce figures that can be viewed. Use the numbers given in the
AMBER, MIDI and VLTI presentations (Schöller and Wittkowski on the
local school website) to assess the feasibility of your program.

\section{Presentation}

Produce a maximum 5-page slide presentation of your proposal. Each group will present their proposal in 5 minutes.

\end{document}
