Subject: New start/end times for 3.5m observing

From: Suzanne Hawley

Submitted: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 23:36:19 -0800 (PST)

Message number: 879 (previous: 876, next: 882 up: Index)

The alert among you will have noticed that the start and end
times in the new 3.5m schedule (Q1 2005) that just appeared are
now (sunset + 5 minutes) and (sunrise - 5 minutes).  We have made
this change in order to make it clear that we expect observers
to be at the telescope (remotely) and ready to observe well
before twilight, and to allow consistent access to calibration 
data (flats, arcs, etc.) for all instruments before sunset.
We anticipate that with the expanded infrared capability of NICFPS,
observers may be able to be on the sky very soon after sunset and 
therefore may need to obtain calibration data before sunset.  Also,
DIS users who obtain cals with the dome closed are encouraged to
do so before sunset, so that the dome can be opened immediately
and the mirrors can begin cooling.

Clicking on the date in the web schedule will show the sunset,
observing start (sunset + 5 min), twilight (still 12 degree)
and so forth for each night, so that you may plan your observations
accordingly.

Please send feedback through your users committee representative,
and we will evaluate this change at the end of Q1 2005.

Suzanne Hawley


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