KASC Work Package

KASC News and Schedule

Kepler is a NASA Discovery mission, launched at UTC: 7 March 2009, 03:49:57.465

4th KASC workshop, Boulder, Colorado, USA: Monday, 11 July 2011 - Friday, 15 July 2011

The 4^th Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortiumat Workshop will take place on 11-15 July 2011 at the High Altitude Observatory in Boulder, Colorado, USA.

17 March 2011:

Astronomers detect echoes from the depth of a red giant star

Science, March 17, Beck et al.: Kepler Detected Gravity-Mode Period Spacings in a Red Giant Star

http://www.ster.kuleuven.be/~paulb/redgiants/

$Description: Description: C:\Users\hans\Documents\kepler\webpage\KASC\interior_total.png$

Material from the KASC/Kepler Press Conference:

http://www.au.dk/en/press/nasakeplerpressconference/

KASC Press Release:

http://www.au.dk/fileadmin/www.au.dk/pressen/Kepler/KASC_PR.pdf

19 August 2010: 2293 KASC target slots selected for Q7

The detailed lists of targets selected for KASC for Kepler Q7 contain 2293 target slots (1649 target slots for long cadence for three months, 654 target slots for short cadence for one month).

18 August 2010:

KASC Target Selection: Specific Targets Q8: Deadline 24 September 2010

Only WG chairs may submit proposals

1. Thursday 9 September 2010: KAI Steering Committee Meeting.

2. Thursday 16 September 2010: 8^th KASC Steering Committee Meeting. Guidelines for target optimization and publication strategies are discussed.

3. Each working group chair need to submit proposals and target lists for short and long cadence observations for Q8.

Deadline is Friday 24 September 2010

The proposals should be submitted to KASOC (email to Hans Kjeldsen: hans@phys.au.dk).

4. During the week 27 September – 1 October 2010 the submitted proposals from the working groups are evaluated by KASOC and a coordinated set of KASC target lists are produced and returned to the KASC Steering Committee and WG chairs for evaluation. The Q7 priorities and number of targets for each WG are expected to be the guidelines for the Q8 KASC target lists.

5. Monday 4October 2010: 9^th KASC Steering Committee Meeting and 5^th KASC WG chair Meeting. The draft versions of the Q8 target lists are discussed. Based on those discussions a set of new target lists are produced.
6. Those lists are evaluated (via email) by the KASC Steering Committee and WG chairs. Upload to Kepler Science Office will take place 15 October 2010.

Questions on target selection should be directed to the WG chairs.

9 August 2010: Q4 data released to KASC

The Kepler Science PI, William Borucki, has approved the release of Q4 Kepler data for KASC analysis.

The data will be released through the KASOC database webpage:

http://kasoc.phys.au.dk (password required)

30 June 2010:

KASC Target Selection: Specific Targets Q7

Only WG chairs may submit proposals

As stated in the KAI/KASC Organization and Schedule document (DASC/KASOC/0013) it is the responsibility of the Working Groups (WG) to submit proposals for the KAI specific target phase following the survey phase. The WG chairs are responsible for the proposals and need to ensure that the ideas covering research done by all individuals within the WG are represented in the target proposals. The WG is also responsible for providing priorities (including justification) between different targets within a given proposal and between submitted proposals.

The procedures for Q7 long and short cadence target selection involve three phases:

1. Before 12 July 2010 the working groups need to submit proposals for Q7 short and long cadence.
2. During the week 12-16 July the submitted proposals from the working groups are evaluated by KASOC and a coordinated sets of KASC target lists are produced
3. Those lists are evaluated by the KASC Steering Committee and WG chairs. Upload to Kepler Science Office will take place before 30 July 2010

Questions on target selection to be directed to the WG chairs.

16 June 2010:

Released Kepler Planetary Candidates

http://archive.stsci.edu/kepler/planet_candidates.html

Characteristics of Kepler planetary candidates based on the first data set: the majority are found to be Neptune-size and smaller

Paper by William J. Borucki, et al. (2010)

Third Kepler Asteroseismology Workshop: 'Kepler Asteroseismology in Action'

14-18 JUNE 2010 IN AARHUS, DENMARK

Description: Description: Lakeside Lecture Theatre, Aarhus University

22 April 2010: Q3 data released to KASC

The Kepler Science PI, William Borucki, has approved the release of Q3 Kepler data for KASC analysis.

The data will be released through the KASOC database webpage:

http://kasoc.phys.au.dk (password required)

17 March 2010:

KASC Target Selection: Specific Targets Q6

Deadline: 7 April 2010. Only WG chairs may submit proposals

8 January 2010: Public available data available via KASC

Data that has been made public available from the Kepler mission, including dropped targets, from Q0 and Q1 has now been made available. This constitutes almost 3500 datasets, where a small portion (35) are newer versions of previously released data.

The data will be released through the KASOC database webpage:

http://kasoc.phys.au.dk/kasoc (password required)

29 December 2009: Q2 Short Cadence data released to KASC

The Kepler Science PI, William Borucki, has approved the release of the first roll (Q2) Kepler short cadence data for KASC analysis.

The data will be released through the KASOC database webpage:

http://kasoc.phys.au.dk/kasoc (password required)

15 December 2009:

KASC Target Selection: Specific Targets Q5

Deadline: 10 January 2010. Only WG chairs may submit proposals

2 December 2009: Commissioning (Q0) Short Cadence data released to KASC

The Short Cadence data from the commissioning period (Q0) is now available for download.

The data will be released through the KASOC database webpage:

http://kasoc.phys.au.dk/kasoc (password required)

24 November 2009: First quarter (Q1) of Short Cadence data released to KASC

The Kepler Science PI, William Borucki, has approved the release of the first roll (Q1) Kepler short cadence data for KASC analysis.
We remind KASC that in agreement with the Kepler release policy for KASC data release the data has been transit removal filtered (TRF) using a KASOC developed software that allow removal of transit signatures but conserves the oscillation data.

The data will be released through the KASOC database webpage:

http://kasoc.phys.au.dk/kasoc (password required)

14 September 2009: 2002 Release of Q1 Long Cadence data

The data will be released through the KASOC database webpage:

http://kasoc.phys.au.dk/kasoc (password required)

26 August 2009: 2002 data files from 10 day commissioning (CDPP) phase (3 – 12 May 2009) released to KASC

Since the launch of the Kepler satellite in March 2009 we have been looking forward to the moment when the first data can be released to the members of KASC. This milestone in the Kepler Asteroseismic Investigation (KAI) will form the beginning of a series of data releases following the steady stream of data from space. The Kepler Science PI, William Borucki, has now approved the release of the first Kepler data for the KASC analysis to begin.

The first release is a set of 2002 data files from the 10 day commissioning (CDPP) Q0 phase (3 – 12 May 2009). Those data contain targets from two KASC related target lists (KASC long cadence and the RGB astrometric list).

The data will be released through the KASOC database webpage:

http://kasoc.phys.au.dk/kasoc (password required)

24 June 2009: Target lists for first 140 days of the mission

The KASC target lists are now available at the KASC webpage http://astro.phys.au.dk/KASC/targets. The target lists contain 293 short cadence KASC targets during commissioning, 509 short cadence KASC targets and 1350 long cadence KASC targets during first roll and 1345 short cadence KASC targets and 1351 long cadence KASC during second roll. KASC will also get access to 1000 long cadence astrometric targets observed during the entire mission.

19 June 2009: Kepler is collecting time series data

On June 15, 2009, Kepler entered safe mode. In this case, the safe mode entry was caused by a fault in part of the spacecraft processor which caused the Kepler photometer to turn off. The photometer was re-initialized and science data downlinked .The safe-mode event consumed about one-and-a-half days of what would have been time collecting science data. After the event the Kepler spacecraft performed a 90 degree roll and began the second roll observations which will continue for 91 days (end on 17 September 2009).

The above information is partly copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

12 May 2009: Kepler entered science phase

The Commissioning phase ended with a 10 day science time series. In total 293 Short Cadence (SC) science KASC targets has been observed.

7 May 2009: Kepler is collecting time series data

The final part of the commissioning includes a performance test where data are being collected to assess the sensitivity and quality of the science data. The project will convene a science operations readiness review on Monday, May 11, to determine if the team is ready to commence science data collection. If successful the science operations phase will start soon after the review. Kepler is now more than six million kilometers (3.7 million miles) from Earth, with a round-trip light time of 40 seconds.

The above information is partly copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

24 April 2009: Kepler in focus!

The telescope focus has been successfully optimized. This involved moving the primary mirror of the telescope toward the focal plane array by 40 microns and tilting it by 0.0072 degrees. Various other calibrations are underway, including: detailed measurement of star images formed by the telescope at various locations on the focal plane; determination of the exact sky coordinates for all pixels, and mapping of "ghost" images.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

20 April 2009: The Kepler Telescope focus will be refined before science observations will started

The Kepler science team has decided that further refinement of the telescope's focus would significantly improve the mission's science return. The project is therefore proceeding with these adjustments. The telescope's 1.4-meter (55-inch) primary mirror rests on three displacement actuators and those actuators can be commanded to extend or contract in tiny steps to adjust the mirror in tip, tilt and piston. An optimized focus of the telescope will make the image quality more uniform across the field of view and minimize the number of imaging pixels required to measure each target star. This would permit more stars to be monitored.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

17 April 2009: The telescope focus in near the optimum but fine-tuning of the focus may improve the science return

Analysis of the images taken over the past several days shows that the telescope is well within the focus requirements levied on the instrument. The data were taken under stable temperature conditions and with the spacecraft in the fine point mode. Engineers are now working with the science team to determine whether optimizing the focus further would provide a significant improvement in science return. If so, the 1.4-meter (55-inch) primary mirror assembly will be adjusted to fine-tune the alignment.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

Description: Description: Kepler full field of view 16 April 2009: "First light" images by Kepler published

This image from NASA's Kepler mission shows the telescope's full field of view. The area in the lower right of the image is brighter because it is closer to the plane of our galaxy and is jam-packed with stars. The area in upper left is farther from the galactic plane and contains fewer stars. The image has been color-coded so that brighter stars appear white, and fainter stars, red. It is a 60-second exposure, taken on 8 April, 2009, one day after the spacecraft's dust cover was jettisoned. There are 42 charge-coupled devices (CCDs), paired into square-shaped modules, whose outline can be seen in the image. A thin black line in each module shows adjacent pairs of CCDs. The thicker black lines that cross through the image are from structures holding the modules together, and were purposely oriented to block out the very brightest stars in Kepler's field of view. The four black corners of the image show where the fine-guidance sensors reside on the focal plane. These sensors are used to hold the telescope's gaze steady by measuring its position on the sky 10 times every second, and by feeding this information to the spacecraft’s attitude control system. Ghost images also appear in the image, which are reflections off the lenses above the CCDs. These expected artifacts were mapped out during ground testing for Kepler, and will not affect science observations because they will be removed as the data are processed. Image credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech
Higher resolution First light image (5MB).The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

13 April 2009: "First light" images taken by Kepler

The "first light" images taken by Kepler's photometer following the release of the dust cover are now on the ground and being processed for release. These data were taken when the vehicle was not at "fine point," or as stabilized on the sky as it soon will be. The photometer was also cooling down to operational temperature when the first light images were taken. Now that the telescope temperatures have stabilized, engineers will bring the vehicle to fine-point control, and take a series of images to measure the state of the optical alignment and determine if any adjustments to focus are necessary.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

7 April 2009: Dust cover ejected from Kepler

Engineers have successfully ejected the dust cover from Kepler. With the cover off, starlight is entering the photometer and being imaged onto its focal plane. Engineers will continue calibrating the instrument using images of stars for another several weeks, after which science observations will begin. The cover is now in its own orbit around the sun, similar to Kepler's sun-centric orbit. See an animation [med-res -|- low-res]

NEWS RELEASE: 2009-065 - DUST COVER JETTISONED FROM NASA'S KEPLER TELESCOPE.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

2 April 2009: Kepler out of low-activity safe mode

Flight controllers have transitioned Kepler out of its low-activity safe mode and have powered on its main instrument, the photometer. The spacecraft is in what is called "standby attitude" with the telescope pointed at the ecliptic North pole. Data will be collected from the photometer over the many hours it will take to stabilize the instrument at its operational temperature. The technical and programmatic reviews leading to dust-cover release are currently scheduled to be completed on Monday, April 6. Dust-cover release is scheduled to occur not earlier than Tuesday evening, April 7.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

30 March 2009: Engineers are preparing to return Kepler to normal operations

Engineers have determined the cause of Kepler's entry into limited safe mode last week, and are preparing to return the spacecraft to normal operations.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

23 March 2009: Kepler entered a limited-activity safe mode

Kepler entered a limited-activity safe mode. Safe mode involves the spacecraft automatically pointing its solar arrays directly at the sun, powering off its photometer instrument, and rotating very slowly about the spacecraft-sun line. Engineers have full control of the spacecraft and are investigating the possible cause of its entry into safe mode.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

18 March 2009: Dark Calibration frames taken for calibrations
The dust cover is still on the Kepler telescope and dark calibration data (using the CCD’s) are being taken at various sun angles, the first three of which are now complete. The forth attitude is designed to provide the darkest background and will point the telescope as far away from the sun as possible while maintaining enough sunlight on the solar panels to power Kepler's electrical systems. Dust cover ejection is planned for 25 March 2009.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

16 March 2009: Ka-band telemetry rate checked at 3.44 Mbits/sec (DSN)

The Ka-band radio at a telemetry rate of 3.44 Mbits per second has been checked. Communication is done via the 34-meter antennas of the Deep Space Network (DSN), located in the Mojave desert of California, outside Madrid, Spain, and near Canberra, Australia. During the period of commissioning ground controllers have full time communication with Kepler. Kepler is currently at a geocentric distance of 3,884,000 km and drifting away from Earth with a round trip light time of 25.9 s.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

12 March 2009: Ka-band radio transmitter powered on and reaction wheels set to zero

The Ka-band radio transmitter was powered on and the spacecraft was maneuvered to point its high-gain antenna toward Earth for testing. The high-gain antenna is in a fixed orientation on the spacecraft platform and the spacecraft need to be re-oriented in order to use the antenna. The primary set of reaction control thrusters was fired for the first time to zero out the small amount of angular momentum that, due to pressure from the Sun light, has built up in Kepler's reaction wheels.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

11 March 2009: Star cameras and sun sensors are checked out

Star cameras and sun sensors are checked out and tested in order to determine the orientation of the spacecraft. In addition, the spacecraft's X-band radio communication link has been tested with the remaining two Deep Space Network stations, one near Madrid, Spain, and the other near Canberra, Australia. The first station in Goldstone was tested shortly after launch.

The above information is copied from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

10 March 2009: Kepler One-way light travel time to Earth is around 2 seconds

Distance to Earth is 600,000 km. Commissioning is going according to plans.

9 March 2009: Kepler 384,400 km from Earth

At UTC 04:31 the spacecraft crossed the orbit of the moon (just 2 days after launch). In 36 days Kepler will be at 10 lunar distances from Earth. The spacecraft is in a 371 day orbit around the Sun. The Photometer is turned on for the first time. The dust cover is still on and it will stay on until 19 days after launch (25 March 2009). The plan is to use the photometer to take a lot of data to test and watch the readout procedures.

More information via: http://twitter.com/NASAKepler

8 March 2009: Kepler Commissioning is going smoothly

Solar panel pointed toward the Sun. Power is stable. The reaction wheels for the satellite attitude (3-axis stabilization) are slowly spinning. Full commissioning is expected to last 50-60 days before science operations will start.

7 March 2009: Kepler successfully launched into Earth trailing orbit. Launch was at UTC: 7 March 2009 at 03:49:57.465

The Deep Space Network (Goldstone antenna) established contact (via the X-band) with the Kepler spacecraft at 05:11:56 (1 hour and 22 minutes into flight). The first analysis of the signals from Kepler indicates that the spacecraft is in good health and all is well.

Spacecraft Rolls:

18 June 2009, 17 September 2009, 17 December 2009, 22 March 2010, 24 June 2010, 23 September 2010, 22 December 2010, 28 March 2011, 27 June 2011, 29 September 2011, 29 December 2011, 2 April 2012, 28 June 2012.

To enlarge: click on the image: