Telescope Schedule

MSO-KPNO Telescope Schedule

Scheduling of Programs

Every effort has been made to schedule each observing program as close as possible to the optimum dates. Because the number of programs is large, however, some inevitably must be shifted away from the requested dates. If you detect an insuperable problem (the moon in front of your cluster, your galaxy setting at dusk, etc.), notify your staff contact immediately. Although we cannot guarantee a schedule change, we will do the best that we can.

Scheduling of Instruments

Major instruments are scheduled in relatively long "blocks" of time to maximize instrument reliability and reduce demands on our technical support staff to a manageable level. Cogent requests for major instrument changes (e.g., the Gold Camera as opposed to a direct imaging CCD) will be reviewed, but it is unlikely that we will be able to accommodate many such major changes. Requests for changes of instrumentation (even a CCD) must be approved by the KPNO Director (kpno@noirlab.edu).

Observing Run Preparation Form

Please complete the online Observing Run Preparation (ORP) Form to make sure that we understand all of the requirements for your observing run and data reduction.

Submit your KPNO ORP form at least six weeks prior to your observing run. It will be distributed to your Staff Contact and other appropriate support people. You may have spelled out your requirements on the Observing Time Request Form, but additional reminders are helpful to us.

Once the ORP is submitted, an automatic acknowledgement will be e-mailed back to you. Upon receipt, the electronic ORP will be checked for correctness, and distributed electronically to the staff responsible for your run.

The required personnel and auxiliary equipment will be assigned six weeks before your observing run. If you have special support requirements (such as, for example, an adaptor for your instrument), you should contact us even earlier. Items of particular importance to the KPNO support staff that should be included are: filters, gratings and central wavelength.