Note to SpCCD applicants for 2010 Q2 observing period on SAAO 1.9-m telescope

Those who are planning to apply for time on the 1.9-m telescope using the SpCCD spectrograph in 2010 Q2 should note that the spectrograph will not be available for the entire quarter due to planned upgrades we intend to make during that time. We hope to have the instrument back in Sutherland in Q3 and available for use then. We will keep the community informed of this progress. You are, however, welcome to apply for time on the 1.9-m telescope using the other available instruments (www.saao.ac.za/facilities/instruments). At all the other SAAO telescopes, the status quo remains, with all the usual instruments available.

In keeping with its role as the National Facility for optical/infrared astronomy, SAAO makes telescope time available to qualified astronomers in South Africa and SALT partners. A certain percentage of time is also granted to astronomers from around the world, to promote scientific and technological collaboration and to promote the exchange of ideas and information. Availability of observing time is advertised under 'Rota', where the quarterly application deadlines are listed. Time allocations will be made on the basis of scientific merit and feasibility.

The application form is a LaTex document, available by ftp either via the 'Rota' page, or from ftp.saao.ac.za/pub/info. If you choose the latter, you will need both saao_obstime.tex (the application form) and saao.sty (required to produce a printable copy for checking). Completed forms can be e-mailed to observer@saao.ac.za. Postscript versions of the completed applications are preferred although LaTex files are also acceptable.

Prospective applicants for observing time should consult the pages for the telescope(s) and instrument(s) they may need to use.

The telescope time application form is a LaTeX document into which you enter details of your application. To convert it into a viewable or printable document, you need a style file as well as the form.

To download these files click on the filename below:

LaTeX document
style file

or a zipped file of the LaTex and style files at:

http://www.saao.ac.za/observing/application/obstime

Use your favourite editor to insert the details into the form, make sure you have saao.sty, and then convert the form to a viewable document with 'latex'. Make sure all the details are correct and that the form prints correctly before sending the completed file to observer(at)saao.ac.za

Deadlines for applications are as follows:

• 01 Oct for Jan/Mar observing;
• 01 Jan for Apr/Jun observing;
• 01 Apr for Jul/Sep observing; and
• 01 Jul for Oct/Dec observing.

If awarded time, you should download a copy of the Observing Record to fill in whilst you observe.

Completed Observing Records (together with a copy tape and log sheets, in the case of spectroscopic data) should be handed in to Di Cooper in Cape Town at the end of your run. If you have any difficulties, please contact Di (email: di at saao dot ac dot za).

If the standard configuration is not appropriate to your requirements, please contact the person in charge of the instrument.

Authors using observations made from SAAO should include a note in the acknowledgements section of each paper with the words 'This paper uses observations made at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)'. This information should be passed on to anyone to whom observations made at SAAO may be supplied.

Authors are requested to send the librarian at SAAO Cape Town three reprints of any paper they publish using data obtained at SAAO, so that a complete archive may be maintained. Preprints would also be appreciated.

To SAAO in Cape Town

To SAAO in Sutherland