Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

The Suzaku Joint Program

Important Note: The Fermi - Suzaku joint will be continued in cycle 8, but with new restrictions owing to the degraded condition of the power subsystems onboard the Suzaku satellite. Any observations awarded under this joint program are subject to the constraints detailed in the Suakau AO-10 documentation. In particular, proposals requiring use of the HXD detectors will not be considered. Also, the AO-10 observation period will end after October 2015, so joint program observations will have to occur by then. It is possible that some could be scheduled prior to the formal start of Fermi Cycle 8.

X-ray observations, such as those using the Suzaku observatory can be an important enhancement to the scientific output of Fermi. Towards this end, the Fermi and Suzaku projects have established a program to support coordinated Suzaku observations of Fermi sources, to be awarded on a competitive basis. The scientific programs that will be supported within this program are those that are enhanced by the combination of Fermi observations with observations made with Suzaku utilizing all or a subset of its instruments. The philosophy of the approach, in keeping with the missions of both Fermi and Suzaku, will be that of maximum scientific return for the entire user community.

Specifically, investigators applying to this program will be awarded observing time on Suzaku provided that the observations proposed do not conflict with an existing Suzaku program and that they are technically feasible. A total of 500 ks of Suzaku observation time, of which no more than 100 ks may involve time critical observations, has been made available for this joint program.

Proposers intending to request joint Suzaku observations are strongly encouraged to first review the mission specific information provided by the NASA Suzaku Guest Observer Facility. They will also be required to append a brief technical justification, comprising one-page or less of text, to their regular 4-page (or 6-page in the case of large projects) scientific justification text. This technical justification should describe which Suzaku instrument(s) will be utilized, the data collection modes to be used, any special pointing or scheduling requirements as well as any other observation-specific details. A justification for the requested amount of observation time should also be presented in this section.