JWST Moving Target Roadmap

A roadmap to guide users, step-by-step, through the process of creating moving target (Solar System) observations with JWST is provided in this article.


  1. Familiarize yourself with policies related to moving targets.
    Moving Target Policies
    Moving Target Overheads

  2. Familiarize yourself with apparent motion and pointing constraints for moving target observations with JWST.
    Moving Target Acquisition and Tracking
    Field of Regard Considerations for Moving Targets

  3. Generate an ephemeris using the JPL/Horizons system to determine the best time to observe the target.
    JWST Moving Target Visibility Tool Help
    Moving Target Ephemerides

  4. Determine the instrument and observing mode for your moving target observation.
    Moving Target Observing Strategies

  5. Calculate the required exposure time and detector readout parameters using the Exposure Time Calculator (ETC).
    Moving Target ETC Instructions
    JWST ETC Target Acquisition

  6. Fill out the Astronomers Proposal Tool (APT) for your observation.
    Moving Target APT Instructions
    Moving Target Observing Strategies

  7. Familiarize yourself with the different options for creating a moving target in the APT.
    Solar System Targets
    Solar System Standard Targets
    Tutorial on Creating Solar System Targets in APT

  8. Familiarize yourself with the procedure for creating a moving target observation in the APT and the optional special requirements used to constrain the observation's schedulability.
    Solar System Special Requirements
    Tutorial on Creating Solar System Observations in APT

  9. If you specified dithers, visualize the dithers in APT.
    Tutorial on Visualizing Dithers of a Solar System Observation in APT


Go to the Getting Started with JWST Proposing to complete the steps for proposal submission.




Latest updates
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    Edited links and added an additional step.
Originally published