Vignetting at low elevation The WHT lower dome shutter is currently (and probably until July 2013) out of action, and observations at elevation <25 deg will be vignetted (plot).

As soon as possible

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1. If you have been awarded time for LIRIS multi-object spectroscopy, please contact the LIRIS MOS specialist as soon as possible, in order to initiate preparation of the slit masks.

2. For long INT runs where there is a change of observing team planned within the run, you must inform your Support Astronomer (SA) of the names of the observers and date(s) of the handover(s) so we can provide training for the new observers on the day of each handover.

3. Observers bringing visitor instruments should allow enough time before and after the run to supervise packing of their equipment, read more at freight information.

At least one month in advance of your run

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1. Make contact with your SA, as listed in the schedules, and explain who will be coming to observe, and when. Confirm to the SA the instrument and detector setup required, and feel free to ask his/her advice about any outstanding observing issues. Prepare your target catalog. You'll find useful observation-planning tools on the astronomy web pages.

2. Inexperienced observers must be accompanied by a suitably experienced observer. If in doubt, seek the advice of your SA.

3. Your continued health and safety throughout your visit is of paramount importance to us. Please familiarise yourself with ING's Health and Safety guidelines.

4. Read carefully the travel to/from/on site and accommodation information and make your arrangements. Sea-level accommodation and transport to/from the observatory should be booked directly through ING bookings while accommodation and meals should be booked directly using the IAC Residencia booking form.

5. DDS3 tapes (INT/WFC) or DVD media (WHT and INT/IDS), guest computer accounts and laptop wireless network access are provided by default at the control rooms. Read about our astronomy computing facilities on site and complete the computing facilities questionnaire for any additional computing requirements.

6. Read the current observer support scheme at the telescope.

7. Read about the visitor programme, including the seminar programme.

On arrival

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1. During periods of bad weather you will be asked to follow special Winter Procedures, which means that the taxi can't get to the observatory before 09:15am, and the way down must be done in daylight. Due to these restrictions, or if the observatory is unreachable, you will be reallocated in a hotel at sea-level or have to stay longer at the observatory's residence.

2. Observers should be aware that there are override programmes active which could affect your programme. A summary of these and the procedure by which they are triggered and carried out is given at ING override programmes.

3. Ask for an ING welcome visitor pack on check-in.