NOIRLab COVID-19 Update

As we approach the end of 2020 it’s a good time to take stock of what we have learned from our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic and to consider what 2021 may bring. It has been a tumultuous year for all of us. Each of our observatory locations has had its own unique experience with the coronavirus. The chart below shows the development of the pandemic in Arizona, Chile, and Hawaii with the overall US infection rates shown for reference. In mid-March we halted operations at all of our sites, as did much of the world, in response to local conditions and government decrees. At that time, we knew we were in for a difficult time; few realized just how long and difficult it would be.

Fortunately, we were able to reopen the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii fairly quickly and the telescope has been in uninterrupted operation since mid-May. Chile, Arizona, and Hawaii each experienced their own local outbreaks in turn. In late September, we were able to bring the Kitt Peak and Chile telescopes back on line. Careful preparations, extensive training, and modifications to workspaces allowed us to operate safely with a high degree of confidence. Despite the recent rise in cases in the continental US, we continue to operate on Kitt Peak by employing best practices in health and safety grounded in the most up-to-date science regarding the novel coronavirus. Further details on the status of our facilities are available in a recent announcement.

Like most of our user community, we have had to improvise and adapt to changing conditions. The telescope Time Allocation Committee has met remotely twice and the meetings have been a great success. Our TAC members are juggling teaching and family life, yet they were able to come together to select the best proposals from an impressive response to the proposal deadlines. The scheduling team has balanced carryover of top ranked proposals from the time when we were off sky with new highly ranked proposals to ensure that every clear night is used to its best purpose.

In addition to conducting a busy observing program, the NOIRLab team is engaging with the community through remote meetings, weekly colloquia, and other interactions. We are learning that there are benefits to remote meetings – no travel! – as well as challenges. When we have to be on a 6AM Zoom call, it’s worth remembering that we don’t have to get to the airport!

As we look to 2021, we can see a time when we can be together again. We look forward to seeing many observers at the telescope again, to seeing our TAC members and user committee members in person, and to hosting community workshops where we can mix over food and drink, discuss the latest results, and plan our future together. We may never forget 2020, but it will be good to see it in the rear-view mirror!