Instructions for Visiting Astronomers

All five ESPRESSO instrument configurations (HR11, HR21, UHR11, MR42 and MR84) are offered in visitor mode starting in P103. In P102, only the 1-UT mode of ESPRESSO and its HR and UHR configurations are offered. To prepare the observations, it is necessary to:

 

  • Check the Instrument News
  • Define your observing strategy and decide on the templates to be used
  • Know how to use p2 and prepare the observing blocks (OBs)
  • Have a clear idea of the overheads and check the ESPRESSO ETC
  • Check the available Observing Tools

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    In addition, visiting astronomers are advised to prepare a backup plan in case of strong winds leading to pointing restriction of the telescope, usually from North, and/or bad seeing conditions.

    Backup targets, as well as any additional targets, or changes of targets and/or instrument setups, must be requested along these lines.

    Instrument-related questions before the VM run starts should be addressed to espresso at eso.org. Any VM run should include two days at the observatory before the first night of observations, during which the observing strategy is discussed and the Observing Blocks are finalized with the help of the ESO support astronomers.

    General information about VM runs can be found here.