APO 3.5-meter remote observing program--2002 and beyond

Bruce Gillespie

doi:10.1117/12.460608

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2 January 2002 APO 3.5-meter remote observing program--2002 and beyond

Bruce Gillespie

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Proceedings Volume 4844, Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return III; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460608
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

The Apache Point Observatory 3.5-meter telescope is a working model of a modern mid-sized telescope used primarily on a shared-night, remote-observing basis. After a decade of successful remote operation and scientific accomplishments, the Astrophysical Research Consortium, builder and owner of the telescope, is examining the role by which this university-owned instrument can best serve its constituency and astronomy at large in the coming years. Various "niche" scientific capabilities are described for the telescope, including fast-response observations of transient phenomena, synoptic observing programs, reactive queue-scheduled observations, temporal study programs, plus being a capable test bed for new instruments. While specialized uses of the telescope offer potential for major scientific discoveries, traditional observing capabilities need to be sustained for the ongoing and future research programs for the majority of the consortium astronomers and students, a large and diverse community. Finding an appropriate balance between the "unique and specialized" versus the "bread-and-butter" observing models is discussed, as is the role hands-on remote observing can serve to support the various operational models.

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Bruce Gillespie "APO 3.5-meter remote observing program--2002 and beyond", Proc. SPIE 4844, Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return III, (2 January 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460608

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