Multi-Platform Coordinated Observations

The field of multi-wavelength astronomy has blossomed in recent years as more and more satellite are launched. Astronomers are currently able to observe at wavelengths ranging from optical to gamma ray with space-based observatories and at optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths with ground-based telescopes. In early 1995, recognizing the enhanced science return that coordinated observations can produce, the EUVE, XTE, ASCA, VLA and HST projects began working together to develop methods to better coordinate observations. This collaboration resulted in significant improvements in the coordination of simultaneous observations. Such efforts work best when the principal investigators are familiar with the constraints of each facility and can provide information quickly. Involving the mission schedulers is also a crucial step, and much preparation work can be done in advance to ensure proper coordination. A primary ingredient of successful coordination is to plan well ahead. Initiating contact with all mission schedulers a month or two in advance of the earliest proposal deadline for a planned observation is recommended. We present an outline of the steps necessary to carry out multi-platform coordinated observations with the EUVE, XTE, ASCA, NRAO, and HST missions. This work was supported by NASA contract NAS5-29298.