CHENNAI : The Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO), in collaboration with the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune has set up an AstroSat Support Cell (ASC) to facilitate the proposal making process and the use of AstroSat data.
The Cell will operate out of IUCAA and will provide resource material, tools, training and help to guest observers. A website has been set up (http://astrosat-ssc.iucaa.in) containing a portal to the AstroSat Proposal Processing System (APPS), Exposure Time and Visibility calculators.
The site also provides downloadable proposal assistance tools, instrument response functions, sample data of AstroSat instruments and analysis software.
ISRO said in its website that The AstroSat Mission, launched on September 28, 2015, has completed its performance verification and started Science Operations since April 15, 2016.
A phase of guaranteed time observations for the instrument teams is currently ongoing. From October 2016 onwards, observatory access will be open to Guest Observers from the Indian science community. Observing time will be awarded on the basis of peer-reviewed proposals.
Activities of the AstroSat Support Cell will include providing long-term support and maintenance of the APPS, running a help desk for proposal and data related queries, and organising workshops to familiarise users with proposal preparation and data analysis techniques.
It is planned to hold every year two long duration workshops at IUCAA and several short duration workshops at different parts of the country.
A Memorandum of Understanding between ISRO and IUCAA for the operation of the AstroSat Support Cell has been signed on May 05, 2016. (AGENCIES)
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