ESA Science & Technology - AKARI (ASTRO-F) Post-Helium Phase Announcement of Opportunity

AKARI is an infrared mission from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and collaborators. AKARI was launched on 21 February 2006 and has performed in the cryogenic phases of the mission an All-Sky Survey in 6 infrared bands, and 5000 imaging and spectroscopic observations in 13 bands in the 2 to 200 microns wavelength range. The first year of routine Open Time operations in its Post Helium phase started on 15 October 2008.

This announcement concerns observations to be performed in the 2nd year of the AKARI post-Helium phase (phase 3), where imaging and spectroscopic capabilities are available in the 1.8 to 5.5 micron range.

Resulting from ESA's participation in the mission, 10% of the total observing time in this phase is reserved for programmes from individuals and teams from institutes located in ESA member states. It should be noted that, whilst hereby facilitating access, ESA cannot provide funding for participation in the AKARI European Open Time programme, full financial support must therefore be obtained through the usual national channels.

The Announcement of Opportunity will close on 6 July 2009 at 9:00 UT. Proposals to participate in the AKARI European Open Time programme must be prepared in accordance with the information provided at:

http://akari.esac.esa.int/

and must be submitted electronically to ESA with a copy to the relevant funding institution. Proposals will be peer-reviewed by an ESA appointed Time Allocation Committee, and then merged with those resulting from the parallel Japanese Call. It is expected that the result of this process will be announced in September 2009. Successful programmes from this Call are expected to be executed starting on 15 October 2009 for a period of 12 months.

I would appreciate if you would circulate this Announcement to interested colleagues within your institute,

Yours sincerely,

D.J. Southwood
Director of Science and Robotic Exploration Programme