Information for Visiting Astronomers

This page you will find information that is relevant for your stay on La Silla, in particular for the preparation of your observing run(s), during the execution, and after having the observation finished

The page does not contain information and guidelines for: writing and submitting Phase I proposals, for preparing and submitting Phase II information, and general tools for preparing the observings. All the information is provided in the Observing Information in the Science Users area. Here you will also find the Instructions for Visiting Astronomers which you should read before travelling to Chile.

Before your run

Getting ready

Your should have received a "P2PP ID" and password giving you access to the webletter detailing your observing runs. If you did not receive that ID, contact VisAs immediately. Keep the P2PP ID and password, as well as your run number (076.A-0123(A)) - you will use them all the time.

If you have yet not done so, fill in the visitor travel information on the VisAs Travel Torm.

Start working

Get acquainted with your instrument. The Instruments link on the left-side menu bar will take you to the various instruments web pages. Please be sure to read the documentation in there. In particular, some of the instruments have some specific instructions and recommendations for visiting astronomers, accessible through the "visitor" link on each of the instrument web page.

P2PP: In order to prepare the observations, you will need the Phase 2 Preparation Program. You should have a look at the Phase 2 Service Mode Guidelines and the La Silla Service Observing pages, even for visitor runs. Note that your OBs do NOT have to be checked in the database in advance.

Targets and backup: Make sure you have enough targets for the whole night. In case you need more to fill the night, additional targets must be requested and approved in advance. Similarly, you should have a backup program in case the conditions do not permit your main program to be executed. In particular, keep in mind that strong wind often comes from the North, so backup targets to the South should be prepared. Additional targets, backup targets and change of set-up must be requested well in advance using this procedure.

At La Silla

When arriving at La Silla

Arriving at La Silla, you should receive

a room,
an observation jacket with safety reflecting strip (always wear it when walking at night),
a torch (always use it when walking at night),
a personal phone code
a Linux account.

If any is missing, request it from the Reception, in the Hotel.

You will use the Linux account for email, ftp, telnet home, etc, as well as OB preparation with P2PP. It is accessible from any of the drl* Linux PCs on the mountain.

You should contact your support astronomer as soon as possible. To contact him/her, pls use the paging system: from any phone at La Silla,

Dial 93
Wait for one bip
Dial the beeper number: 02 for 2.2m, 03 for 3.6m,04 for NTT.
Wait for several beeps
Repeat several times your phone number, slowly and clearly
Hang up and wait to be called back

Your support astronomer will help you with the strategy of your observations, and will show you how to use P2PP. Pls note that it is assumed that you have read the user's manual of the instrument you plan to use. This introduction will typically take place on the evening of your arrival.

On the evening of your first night, your support astronomer will assist you setting-up (transfer of the OBs to the telescope, show you the control room and explain you how to use the various programs), and will assist you with your observations untill you feel comfortable with the system. All the telescope related operations (as well as troubleshooting, when needed) are taken care of by your Telescope & Instrument Operator.

Observing Policies

Below, you will find links to policies that apply in special situations. Most likely you will not need them.

OB Preparation

For observations on VLT-compliant instruments, your support astronomer will give you a pre-introduction on the night before your observations, during which you will settle the details of your instrument set up and observations procedures, and also, get trained to the use of the Phase 2 Preparation Program (P2PP). All observers will also get an introduction at the telescope on the afternoon before the first night, during which the support astronomer will give a detailed explanation and demonstration of the systems involved in the observations. The support astronomer will also be present at the telescope during the beginning of the first night, and will be available for assistance during the whole run (typically until 2:00 - 3:00 am).

The Observations!

An astronomer, the "SciOp Shift Leader", is in charge of the overall coordination of the observations, in case some changes of schedules are needed (e.g. in case of Target of Opportunity request). From the technical point of view, the "SciOps Coordinator" is supervising and coordinating all the technical actions taking place on the telescopes. He is helped by three "Telescope Coordinators", each in charge of one of the telescope. To contact SciOps, send a mail to ls-sciops@eso.org.

Data Backup Request

To request a backup of your data you need to fill in the Action Remedy Data Backup Request.

Observing Support

On all the telescopes, the observer will be assisted by a Telescope and Instrument Operator (Day TIO works from morning till 19:00; and the Night TIO from 19:00 till end of night). The operator's task may cover all the aspects of an observing program, but the final responsibility for the data obtained rests exclusively with the Visiting Astronomer. The operators are allowed to take a 45-minute midnight lunch break between 12:00 and 2:00 am. Should this interfere with the observations, a TIO from another telescope or a support astronomer will replace him/her during that time.

An electronic reporting system is used to provide a brief summary of the night (even

Reports and Requests

An electronic reporting system is used to provide a brief summary of the night (even if no observations could be performed); the night TIO will fill it with input from the visiting astronomer if needed. The same system is used to request anything required for the next night, any malfunction or repair, requirement, complaint or abnormal event, comments on weather, etc. Again, the night TIO will fill these reports with input from the visitor.

Target of Opportunity

Each year, a number of unforeseen, interesting astronomical events, e.g. comets, supernovas, etc. occur. You may be requested to observe such events, or give up the telescope to a staff astronomer for a limited period. Your cooperation is called for in the spirit of science. A policy document describing rules for ToO is available.

After your Run

Your data will be written on CDs or DVDs. We will do our best to have these ready before you leave La Silla; they will be at the hotel reception for collection. Nevertheless, in case we cannot have them ready in time, we will express mail them to the address you leave on the backup request form. Please note that these CDs/DVDs contain only the raw data. You will have to archive any reduced or processed frame that you would like to keep. Your support astronomer can provide you with CDs for that purpose.

It is your own responsibility to pack and prepare for shipment any instrument(s) brought especially for your observations, or any tapes, etc. obtained during your run, even if this means prolonging your stay on the mountain. Packing material can be obtained from the Warehouse, who should be informed in advance of any special specifications. If you require special shipment handling for your parcel(s), kindly notify the Front Desk Officer (special forms, also available from the warehouse, may be required in some cases). In any case, all parcels should clearly indicate destination address, sender's name, contents, weight and way of shipment (surface, air).

End-of-Mission Report

At the end of your observing run please fill out the electronic End-of-Mission Report, giving a brief account on the observing run, and including any comments you may deem appropriate about your experience at La Silla. Your help in this regard will be much appreciated.

Before leaving La Silla

Check-out time is 3:00 pm.
Check that clothes are left in your room and return the key and torch to the Front Desk Officer.
Return any books to the library and other materials to their source. Borrowed audiocassettes/DVDs should be returned to the Front Desk Officer.
Astronomers who have phone bill and/or invoice and stay at the guesthouse after leaving La Silla, may pay for their bills directly there.
Astronomers who have phone bill and/or invoice and do not stay at the guesthouse, should pay for their bills at the Reception Desk.

La Silla Science Operations