MMIRS Infrared imager & spectrograph
These links reach a specific instrument. Use the link at the left
to reach the general Magellan instrument page.
Starting in the 2008B semester, we will experiment with
interventions for targets of opportunity (TOO). The
guidelines for Magellan
interventions describe the science goals and the responsibilities
for the PI and other Magellan observers.
To receive additional information on Magellan telescopes and
instruments, you may sign up for the
Magellan
mailing list server. There are several choices at this URL.
MMT
Click here for real-time information on the status of
MMT instruments and other aspects of MMT observing.
f/5 Instruments
General information
Hectospec,
Hectochelle
Multiobject low/high resolution optical spectrographs
SWIRC Infrared imager
Hectospec and Hectochelle are run in queue mode
The TAC welcomes target of opportunity proposals for the Hectospec and Hectochelle queues.
The single-object modes available with both instruments allow acquisition of TOO targets. Contact
Nelson Caldwell for details on this operation of Hectospec and Hectochelle.
f/9 Instruments
Blue and Red channel Optical spectrgraphs
PISCES: IR echelle spectrgraph PI Instrument
f/15 instruments:
ARIES with AO system: PI Instrument
CLIO with AO system: PI Instrument
MIRAC/BLINC with AO system: PI Instrument
FLWO 1.5-m
The 1.5-m is a single-object, spectroscopic telescope. Most observations are made in a queue, but scheduled time is also available.
FAST: low resolution, high throughput optical spectrograph (CCD detector)
echelle: optical echelle spectrograph (Reticon detector)
TRES: high throughput, optical echelle spectrograph (CCD detector)
FLWO 1.2-m
The 1.2-m is an imaging telescope with a wide-field optical camera and a moderate
field infrared camera. Most observations are made in a queue, but scheduled time is
also available.
KeplerCam: Optical camera with a 23′ by 23′ field-of-view
Stelircam: Infrared camera with a 5′ by 5′ field-of-view
Pairitel 1.3-m
Pairitel is a queue-scheduled, robotic 1.3-m telescope with an IR camera for JHKs imaging.
Pairitel IR Camera: JHKs imaging over a 8′ by 8′ field-of-view
Observatory (6.5-m telescope at Mt. Hopkins, Arizona).
The CfA also operates the Fred Lawrence Whipple
Observatory (FLWO) at Mt. Hopkins. The Ridge telescopes
on Mt. Hopkins include the 1.5-m, 1.3-m, PAIRITEL, and
the VERITAS
γ-ray telescope.
Applying for CfA time
To apply for CfA time on the MMT, Magellan, or
Ridge Telescopes (1.5-m, 1.3-m, and PAIRITEL),
the CfA must be your primary
affiliation and you must be resident at a CfA facility. CfA
staff on leave or sabbatical may also apply for time.
Before applying for time, please read the
CfA Observing Policies.
The navigation column to the left has links to policies
for each observatory.
Instrument Availability
Before appying for time, please check
the instrument status and the range of
dates available for each telescope.
Applying for Public time
The National Optical Astronomy Observatory
(NOAO) allocates public
time available on the MMT and Magellan through the
Telescope System Instrumentation Program
(TSIP).
There is no public time available on the OIR Ridge telescopes.
CfA Time Available
At FLWO and the MMT, we allocate time for four month trimesters.
In each trimester, the typical time available for CfA staff is
FLWO: 48 D (dark) + 24 G (grey) + 48 L (light) nights
MMTO: 20 D + 10 G + 20 L
During summer shutdown in Arizona, FLWO and MMTO allocations
are 25% smaller.
At Magellan, we allocate time for six month semesters.
In each semester, the typical time available is:
Magellan: 22 D + 11 G + 22 L
This time is roughly evenly divided between Magellan I
and Magellan II.
Instruments Available
Please check to see which
telescopes and instruments are available for the
next proposal due date.
Observing Proposals
Observing proposals are due at noon Eastern Time (EST or EDT)
on the third or fourth Tuesday of February, June, and October.
Observing proposals are submitted using a web-based form.
Observing proposals have three parts:
Cover page (including a short abstract)
Scientific Justification
Recent publications using CfA facilities
The proposals are collated by telescope and instrument,
and then printed out for review.
Proposal Reviews
The time allocation committee (TAC) reviews the proposals.
Proposals are ranked according to
overall scientific merit
publication record using CfA facilities
availability of time requested
TAC members enter grades over the web.
Grades are normalized and averaged to produced
rank-ordered lists for each telescope.
Based on allocations from each observatory,
TAC members discuss each proposal and assign time.
TAC Meetings
The TAC meets three times per year, roughly two weeks
after observing proposals are due.
The TAC reads, ranks, and recommends time allocations for
observing proposals.
The TAC chair sends time requests to staff at FLWO,
Magellan, and MMT Observatories and helps to
coordinate scheduling of CfA time requests.
Current TAC Members
Edo Berger
Warren Brown
Nelson Caldwell
Rosanne Di Stefano
Jeremy Drake
Christine Jones
Julia Lee
Saku Vrtilek
Scott Kenyon (Chair)
Observing Schedules
Each observatory produces a schedule for observers.
After a draft schedule is produced, the TAC chair
checks the schedule and circulates the draft to observers.
Final schedules are posted on the web. The navigation
column to the left has links to schedules for FLWO,
Magellan, and the MMT.
Observing Preparation
To plan observing runs, all observers should contact the
appropriate instrument scientist or an experienced CfA observer.
Unlike NOAO, the FLWO, MMTO, and Magellan do not provide an
instrument scientist at the telescope or a software scientist
to assist with data reduction after your observing run. Thus,
it is the observer's responsibility to prepare for the run and
to learn about changes in the hardware and software since their
last observing run.
New observers should take extra time to prepare for their
observing run. If you are not familiar with a telescope or an
instrument, you must learn how to operate the instrument from an
experienced observer. Usually, arriving at the telescope several
days before your observing run will give you enough experience.
Please read the appropriate set of guidelines to help you to prepare
for your run.
MMT guidelines
Magellan guidelines
FLWO Observing Policies
The TDC staff can also assist with instrument preparation
for FLWO and MMT instruments. Here are some useful links.
FLWO 1.2-m
FLWO 1.5-m
Finding Charts
For additional information, you can also access these sites:
MMTO
Magellan
FLWO
There is also an interactive
tour of Mt. Hopkins
Visitor Policies
Although scheduled observers may invite guests to watch operations
at the MMT, the MMTO has a strict visitor
policy
that requires approval from Mr Dennis Smith, Mountain
Operations Manager. The TAC strongly supports this policy and recommends
that observers read the policy before traveling to the MMTO.