The National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) is a 4-meter, clear-aperture, ground-based solar observatory in the optical/IR wavelength range, and as of today, the largest and most powerful solar telescope in the world. To stay at the forefront of its mission, the observatory has planned several time consuming engineering activities in the coming year. These include e.g. the re-coating of the DKIST’s primary mirror and preparations for testing and commissioning of the future Visible Tunable Filter (VTF) instrument. In addition, the DKIST plans to dedicate a significant block of time for a coordination with MUSE in late 2027.
Since the remaining on-sun time available for PI-led Regular Observing Time (ROT) would be very limited, the DKIST has taken the decision to forego the regular Proposal Call for PI-led, Cycle 5 observations in 2027.
Instead, and to still assure that science driven observations optimized for scientific productivity are performed in the Cycle 5 2027 observing season:
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Directors Discretionary Time (DDT) will be made available for the entire community to apply for. Details about the DDT submission process and selection criteria will be published and shared towards the end of 2026.
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Furthermore, we seek to introduce community-driven Standard Observing Time (SOT) for Cycle 5, a new time allocation category that will complement the existing PI-driven Regular Observing Time (ROT). Please stay tuned for more details to be shared in the coming months.
The next Proposal Call will be released in Spring 2027 for a Cycle 6 observing season in 2028.
If you have any questions at this point, please contact the DKIST Help Desk.