The ING Service Programme (on WHT only) aims at providing astronomers with a rapid and flexible tool to obtain small sets of observations (up to 8 hours). This can be used to try new ideas, or complement a PATT, NL, or CAT programme.

Briefly, the main elements of the Service Programme are as follows:

• All proposals are scientifically assessed by representatives of the three user-community time allocation committees (UK, NL, ES).
• Monthly deadlines for application submission: midnight on the last day of each month.
• Applicants retrieve the data through anonymous ftp.
• Proposals are generally withdrawn from the scheme after a one year period.

A more detailed description of the ING Service Programme and some statistics on the use of the observing time are available.

The ING asks users of the Service Programme to give proper acknowledgement to this effect in the papers that they publish.

• First check the available service nights coming up on the WHT:
  Service nights (excluding GLAS SV):
  Semester (e.g. '09A'):  

  Semesters A run from 1st of February to 31st of July, and semesters B are from 1st of August to 31st of January. You can also search in the ING schedules. Service nights are marked as 'S' in the programme reference column. Please note that service nights can be shared with other programmes, typically with discretionary time (ie. marked as 'S/D').

• Use the tools and links at the 'Telescopes and Instruments' and 'Preparing for Observing' sections of ING's Astronomy web pages to identify your most suitable instrument, setup, strategy and plan.
• Then fill in the instrument application form you want to apply for:

  • AUTOFIB2 / WYFFOS.

  • ACAM. IMPORTANT: For spectroscopy, please read spectroscopy with ACAM and the comparison with ISIS therein.

  • ISIS. IMPORTANT: No polarimetry is offered in service mode, more information: ISIS service mode. For low resolution, please also consider using ACAM.
    

  • LIRIS. IMPORTANT: LIRIS service mode information.

  • NAOMI / INGRID. IMPORTANT: GLAS won't be offered in semesters 2010A and 2010B.

  • NAOMI / OSCA. IMPORTANT: GLAS won't be offered in semesters 2010A and 2010B.

  • NAOMI / OASIS. IMPORTANT: GLAS won't be offered in semesters 2010A and 2010B.

  • PFIP.

  We allow some flexibility in respect to non-standard setups but they need be scientifically justified.

• Submitting a finder chart is mandatory . The best way to send your finding chart is by providing an URL link in the submission form (see above). Please remember to include the following:
  • Reference code (if known) and principal investigator's name on all pages.
  • Mark the object(s) of interest.
  • Specify scale and orientation.
  • Give passband and magnitude limit.
  If there is a reason for not providing a finding chart at the submission, please make sure that it reaches the Service Manager well before your application becomes active.

• Your proposal will be scientifically assessed at the start of the following month to the proposal submission, and technically assessed by members of the ING staff. The Service Manager will email you with the respective feedbacks.

• In the case of genuine targets of opportunity a service form should be submitted. Please also contact the Service Manager. Don't forget to tick the Target_of_Opportunity box on the service form. For the most urgent cases, contact the Service Manager as well by email. In this case local referees assess your application.

Following the online submission of your proposal, you will receive an acknowledgement email. If you find any problems with your submission, please contact the Service Manager.