The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) is currently in an extended operational phase aligned with the fourth gravitational-wave observing run of LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (ZTF-O4). During this phase, the ZTF collaboration conducts a three-night experiment each month, focusing on various scientific cases and survey designs (AstroNotes 2023-349, 2024-59, 2024-96).
The next ZTF experiment is scheduled from 2024-05-06 03:32 UT to 2024-05-08 11:53 UT. This experiment will cover a contiguous area of 10,450 square degrees in the northern Galactic cap with nightly-cadence, 30-second g, r, and i-band imaging observations. The primary goal of the observation is to identify extragalactic transients brighter than 19.8 mag in g and r, similar to the ZTF Bright Transient Survey (BTS). However, this special three-night experiment will include the i-band filter in the observing sequence and use all available on-sky time during the three nights to ensure nightly-cadence observation in all three filters.
During and after this experiment, we will use the Nordic Optical Telescope, the Palomar 200-inch telescope, and the Palomar 60-inch telescope (SEDMachine) for coordinated spectroscopic classification of all detected extragalactic transients brighter than 19.0 mag, as well as newly discovered extragalactic transients brighter than 19.5 mag with deep nondetections (fainter than 19.8 mag) within the 5 days prior to the first detection.
As a public experiment, transient candidates and classification spectra will be promptly reported to the Transient Name Server without proprietary period. Real-time alerts will be released through the public ZTF alert stream. Images and other data products will be accessible through the NASA/IPAC Infrared Science Archive (https://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/Missions/ztf.html).
A separate AstroNote will be released for transients identified during the experiment; coordinated imaging and spectroscopic observations of interesting candidates are strongly encouraged.
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