There are a number of different software tools available to assist JWST users as they investigate various proposal options for viability, and ultimately generate a proposal for submission the the JWST time allocation process. This article provides a quick look overview of what is available.

See also: Master list of JWST Proposing Help videos on all topics  

The primary JWST tools needed to support proposal writing include the JWST Exposure Time Calculator and the Astronomer's Proposal Tool.  However, the JWST project supports a number of other specialized tools that can be great time-savers for those investigating special cases.  These tools typically are used to provide a quick look into parameters such as visibility, sensitivity, or variations in background levels as a function of time.

Additional proposal preparation support tools

• JWST Target Visibility Tools (to obtain information on target visibility windows and available position angles versus time).
  • JWST General Target Visibility Tool Help (GTVT; Python command line tool for all JWST instruments, help article and install notes).
    • Note: A version of GTVT that handles moving targets, the MTVT, is also available.
  • JWST Coronagraphic TVT (CVT, specifically for NIRCam and MIRI coronagraphic modes, help article and install notes).
    
    
• The JWST Backgrounds Tool provides insight into variations of infrared backgrounds as a function of wavelength and time.
  
  
• The JWST Interactive Sensitivity Tool (JIST) can provide a quick look into feasibility of planned observations prior to in-depth work with the ETC.
  
  
• NIRSpec Observation Visualization Tool (NOVT) provides a simultaneous view of both NIRSpec and NIRCam fields of view on a given sky position, for assistance in planning NIRCam pre-imaging for NIRSpec MOS observations.
  
  
• NIRSpec MSA Planning Tool (MPT) (used within APT, to specify detailed multi-object spectroscopy plans).

Tools for simulating JWST performance

• STPSF Tool (formerly WebbPSF) (generates accurate point spread functions for JWST instruments); STPSF is used within the ETC to generate PSFs, but certain users may want to investigate further on their own.
  
  
• Mirage is Python code used to generate simulated NIRCam, NIRISS, or FGS imaging data. 
  
  
• ExoCTK, the Exoplanet Characterization Toolkit can aid in proposal preparation for transiting exoplanet observations, along with PandExo, the Exoplanet Exposure Time Calculator. These are heavily used by the exoplanet community. 
  
  
• The NIRISS Ghost ID tool allows users to identify optical ghosts that appear in direct images taken by the NIRISS imaging mode.
  
  
• The NIRISS grism overlap tool allows users to assess spectral overlap in NIRISS slitless spectroscopy observations for a range of orientation angles. If there is a target of interest, this tool helps to identify position angles where contamination from spectral overlap may be minimized. This tool can be used for both Wide Field Slitless Spectroscopy (WFSS) and Single Object Slitless Spectroscopy (SOSS) observations, though ExoCTK is the preferred software for planning SOSS observations and checking for position angles free from contaminating sources.

External tools of interest to proposers

The following tool has been developed by external community members and is not supported directly by STScI. However, many in the broader community may find it useful and a link is provided for visibility and convenience.   

• MIRISIM can generate imaging, as well as low- and medium-resolution spectroscopic data simulations for MIRI. These simulated observations can help proposers better understand the capabilities of the instrument, prepare their own observations, and plan ahead for data analysis. MIRISIM was developed and is supported by the MIRI consortium.
  

Help for this tool is not available through the JWST Help Desk since the tool is managed outside of STScI.