Estimate observing time for a meteor-impact survey from sky coverage, camera field of view, exposures per field, exposure duration, repositioning overhead, revisit count, and observing efficiency.
Use the main result as a transparent first-order planning value. The supporting metrics expose intermediate quantities so assumptions can be checked and compared across scenarios.
Visibility, twilight, weather, moon avoidance, field overlap, cadence gaps, and failed frames can extend the calendar time beyond this wall-time estimate.
Covering 5,000 deg² with a 20 deg² field requires 250 fields. Three passes with two 30-second exposures and 15 seconds overhead take 20.83 scheduled hours at 75% efficiency.
The dominant inputs are those used directly in the displayed formula. Change one input at a time to see its effect while holding the other meteor impact assumptions fixed.
Fields described as optional or overhead may accept zero. Physical quantities that appear in a denominator or define the mission scale must remain positive.
Only the contingency or efficiency explicitly entered is included. Add separate reserves for effects that are not represented by an input.
Detailed models include geometry, hardware modes, environmental conditions, correlated uncertainties, and organization-specific constraints that a screening calculator cannot capture.
Recompute the case with an independent tool, document every assumption and unit, test pessimistic and optimistic scenarios, and compare against subsystem or observatory requirements.
| Output | Use |
|---|---|
| Main result | Primary sizing or planning value |
| Supporting metrics | Trace the drivers behind the result |
| Interpretation | Identify what is and is not represented |