Below, the Community Engagement Team (CET) posts some of the questions and answers which arose during the DP0 Info Sessions held during January and February 2021. Please feel free to reply in this thread with additional questions.
More information about:
Community Participation in Data Preview 0
The DP0 Simulated Data Set from the DESC’s DC2
Q1: Is the delegate process also available for international contributors, and what fraction of the delegates are expected to come from international contributors?
A1: Yes, members of International Programs who are interested in DP0 should please apply using the same application form as everyone else, including members of teams with in-kind contributions still in the proposal stage and not yet accepted. There is no set fraction of accounts for international programs.
Q2: If a student is working with a mentor, do both need to apply separately? Can people apply as a team to work on a project?
A2: Advisor/student pairs should submit one application (for either the student or the advisor), identify the applicant as a member of Group E in Question 5, and then indicate that yes, they would like a “Plus One”, in Question 6. If the applicant is selected, two accounts will be assigned. Larger teams are not supported for DP0, because the technical capabilities for collaborative work (e.g., linked accounts, shared disk space in the RSP) are not yet functional and will not be available for DP0.
Q3: Is there a formal role for mentors without RSP accounts (i.e., who are not DP0 delegates), but who are advising students with RSP accounts (who are DP0 delegates)?
A3: No, but the DP0-related community support infrastructure (e.g., this forum, live presentation sessions) are or will be openly accessible, so this kind of arrangement should be possible. Please also note Q2, above, about the “Plus One” option for students and advisors.
Q4: Does access to DP0 ensure that one will have access to the DP1 and DP2 data releases?
A4: Not formally, because at some point the RSP will move from the interim data facility (IDF; the Google Cloud) to the operations-era data facility (SLAC), and so a migration or regeneration of accounts might be needed depending on whether DP1 is served from the IDF, US DF, or both. We anticipate continuing to support RSP accounts for DP0 delegates who are using them. Rubin Observatory will do it’s best to support all users who want access to DP1, but given the current uncertainty on when exactly it will happen and what the status of the USDF will be at the time, we may have to limit the number of initial users. Since DP2 is planned for after the formal start of operations, we should be supporting all users with data rights at that time.
Q5: Will the selected delegates have ‘obligations’ of some sort?
A5: Delegates will be obligated to make responsible use of their RSP accounts, including understanding the technical constraints and abiding by the security policies, all of which will be communicated to delegates. Additionally, DP0 delegates are encouraged to take some action that either informs RSP development or expands the reach of DP0, but these activities are optional, can be small and simple, and will not be tracked. Examples include, filling out user surveys about the RSP, working through a user guide, or making a presentation about their DP0 participation for their Science Collaboration or home institution. These actions will also be explained to delegates. See Q8 for a discussion about the anticipated time commitment.
Q6: Could it be possible to publish work based on DP0?
A6: Yes, and the correct acknowledgements and associated citations will be made available for DP0 delegates preparing to publish work.
Q7: Maybe DP0 delegates could provide sample workbooks, to augment project-provided ones?
A7: Absolutely, that’s a great action for DP0 delegates (see Q5). The CET is looking to put in place infrastructure to support this.
Q8: What is the approximate time commitment needed for DP0 participation?
A8: The minimum time commitment needed to gain the potential benefits of DP0 participation is estimated to be 12-36 hours, in total, over whatever timespan is convenient to the delegate (Section 1.4.2 of RTN-004). This would be time spent learning, interacting, and taking on a small action (Q5). The CET plans to make resources available so that people can learn and work at their own pace without meetings if they prefer, but also host live sessions (e.g., demonstrations, office hours, working group meetings) to accelerate the learning process for those that can and want to participate that way. It is expected that some DP0 delegates might find a lot to do in the RSP with the DP0 data set and continue to use their accounts regularly, while others might find that they have spent enough time on DP0 and relinquish their accounts to be reassigned.