What's Happening?
NASA, in partnership with the National Science Foundation (NSF), has announced the continuation of its Guest Observer Program 2017B, focusing on exoplanet research using the WIYN telescope. The program invites proposals for research projects that utilize existing instrumentation at the WIYN telescope. The call for proposals is managed by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), with deadlines set for the end of September and March for the respective semesters. NASA plans to provide funding to selected principal investigators to support travel, observation, data analysis, and publication costs.
Why It's Important?
The Guest Observer Program 2017B is crucial for advancing exoplanet research, a field that seeks to understand planets outside our solar system. By providing access to the WIYN telescope and funding support, NASA is enabling researchers to conduct detailed studies that could lead to significant discoveries about the formation, composition, and potential habitability of exoplanets. This program supports the broader scientific community's efforts to explore the universe and could contribute to breakthroughs in our understanding of planetary systems.
What's Next?
Researchers interested in participating in the program must submit their proposals by the specified deadlines. Selected projects will be scheduled for observation time on the WIYN telescope, allowing scientists to gather data and conduct analyses. The outcomes of these projects could lead to new insights into exoplanetary systems and potentially inform future missions or studies aimed at discovering habitable worlds.
