Questions
Who is a Rally for?
Anyone working on Roman commissioning data, in person or on Zoom: observers, theorists, statisticians, software people, and students, including people with no prior Roman experience.
Do I have to be a member of the RSC?
No. Membership is voluntary and strongly encouraged. Sponsorship for graduate students is on the RSC public page. Joining and applying are separate steps.
Do I need a finished project?
No. Bring a question, a worry, or a skill. Or join a plan on the first morning.
Will there be talks?
A short orientation, brief check-ins, and maybe a few expert tutorials. The rest of the time is for working.
How do I apply?
The participant sign-up form NOT YET OPEN opens once host sites are finalized. The deadline and the decision date will be posted on the 2026 Rally page when the form opens.
How are people chosen?
If there are more applicants than seats, organizers mix skills, interests, and career stages, with attention to early-career astronomers. Written criteria will be posted on the event page before the form opens.
Can I attend remotely?
Yes, on Zoom and Slack. In person is valuable, not required. More than three people at one institution should host a Rally Room.
Is there funding?
There is no registration fee and no funding support.
What should I bring?
A laptop, notes you are willing to share, and code you are free to show. Data and software you cannot share should stay at home.
What data will we be allowed to use?
All public data products are in bounds. The mission sets the rules. The exact list will be posted on the 2026 Rally page once those products are set.
Can my institution host a Rally Room?
Yes. Same time, approximately the same schedule, for people who cannot travel as far. You need a small meeting space and some local advertising. See what it means to host a Rally Room. Responses are due Nov 10 on the host form.
Share the invitation
The Dec 14-18, 2026 invitation, with two QR codes, is on the home page. One joins the Rally. Seeking Rally Hosts opens the section on hosting.