James Webb Space Telescope Feed Post

Harvard ADS: Optimizing TESS-related Exoplanet Observation: A Systematic Approach to Scheduling JWST SOSS and BOTS Templates

Paper abstract: This study presents a systematic approach to optimize the scheduling of exoplanet observations using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), focusing on targets discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). We developed a methodology to refine transit timing predictions for JWST's Cycle 3 Guest Observer program, specifically for the NIRISS/SOSS and NIRSpec/BOTS observation modes. Our process involved data collection from JWST proposal documents, cross-matching with TESS data, and applying the Transit Least Squares (TLS) algorithm for transit detection and characterization. We created comprehensive timelines for instrument usage and individual proposals, providing a visual representation of the observation schedule from July 2024 to September 2025. This approach demonstrates the potential for improved efficiency in JWST time allocation and sets a foundation for future refinements in astronomical observation planning.