Magellan telescopes operations

M. M. Phillips; David J Osip; Frank Perez

doi:10.1117/12.670890

Translator Disclaimer

29 June 2006 Magellan telescopes operations

M. M. Phillips, David J Osip, Frank Perez

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6270, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems; 627007 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670890
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The Magellan Observatory consists of two 6.5 m telescopes located at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. The Magellan partner institutions are the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Harvard University, the University of Arizona, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Michigan. The telescopes are owned and operated by Carnegie for the benefit of the consortium members. This paper provides an overview of the scientific, technical, and administrative structure of the observatory operations. A technical staff of ~23 FTEs provides on-site support of the telescopes. This group is augmented by ~3 FTEs at the Carnegie Observatories headquarters in Pasadena who concentrate mostly on upgrades or modifications to the telescopes. The observatory is operated in the "classical" mode, wherein the visiting observer is a key member of the operations team. Instrumentation is supplied entirely by the consortium members, who continue to provide significant support after instrument commissioning. An analysis of the successfulness of this model over the first five years of operation is presented.

Citation Download Citation

M. M. Phillips, David J Osip, and Frank Perez "Magellan telescopes operations", Proc. SPIE 6270, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems, 627007 (29 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.670890

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE