Planning Observations
IMPORTANT:
As a consequence of the WHT and INT upgrades, the visitor mode is not offered.
As soon as possible
- 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.
- Observers bringing visitor instruments should allow enough time before and after the run to supervise packing of their equipment, read more at
freight information.
-
La Palma is a holidays destination so please make your bookings well in advance, especially during peak
periods such as Carnival, Easter and Christmas when flights are heavily booked, and in July in years ending in 0 or 5
(when the Bajada de La Virgen, a big festival, takes place in Santa Cruz de La Palma). More information on accommodation and traveling.
-
Make both an ING booking and a residencia booking. Please note that only members of the observing team can be present at ING telescopes during observing, and only they can be accommodated at the residencia. Exceptions to this rule require the explicit authorisation of the ING Director. If authorised, an ING booking should then be made. The ING sea-level office, which is responsible for making the ING bookings, is open from 8:30 to 15:00 Monday to Friday..
At least one month in advance of your run
- 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. Your SA will remind you about the need to provide driving-licence
details if you plan to use an ING car on-site.
- Inexperienced observers MUST be accompanied by a suitably experienced observer. Read about the current observer support scheme at the telescope. If in doubt, seek the advice of your SA.
-
Your continued
health and safety throughout your visit is of paramount importance to us. Please familiarise yourself with
ING's Health and Safety guidelines.
-
Guest computer accounts and laptop wireless network access are provided by default
at the control rooms. Be aware that for security reasons, you can read but not send out email connecting with your usual email server from within the ING network. Instead, make the proper arrangements to use webemail, SSH, VPN or EDUROAM connections. Read about our astronomy computing facilities on site
and
complete
the computing facilities questionnaire for any additional computing requirements.
- Read about the visitor programme, including the seminar programme.
On arrival
- 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 residencia.
- 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. The overriden observing time cannot be returned.
- Ask for an ING welcome visitor pack on check-in.
You will be also provided with the following safety checklists which should be read and returned signed:
WHT, INT.
- Book your residencia meals.
|