The point of a #ProprietaryPeriod is to give people time to analyse their data – which they have written a proposal to get – and publish it. It means that people who have other duties, such as a heavy teaching load, have a head start when they can't be scooped by astronomers with more time and/or experience. It gives time to recruit postdocs and for students to get up to speed. It levels the playing field a bit to help people at smaller institutions.
#Astronomy #Astrodon #JWST #RenameJWST

A #ProprietaryPeriod for #JWST is essential if people with limited research time are to be able to use the telescope. The only people who would benefit from the removal of proprietary periods are astronomers at well-resourced institutions (i.e. large private universities) who have lots of research time. Those who would lose out include astronomers at public and teaching-focused universities – such as almost all minority serving institution.
#Astronomy #Astrodon #RenameJWST