Fundación Galileo Galilei - INAF Telescopio Nazionale Galileo 28°45'14.4N 17°53'20.6W 2387.2m A.S.L.

OPTICON 2011A is open for proposals

The call for the 2011A semester is now open with a closing date of 1 September 2010. You can see the details here

The call is similar to the one in 2010B with a single committee to allocate EC supported time across the entire OPTICON network. The main differences since 2010B are:

  • UKIRT is not available due to its switch to a new operating mode.
  • Time is available on the WHT in this call
  • Significantly more time is available at NOT and Calar Alto (Note that all 2011A applications to NOT from non-NOTSA astronomers must be made via OPTICON)
  • The ESO 3.5 and NTT at La Silla are not available through this call but ESO encourage applications via the regular ESO OPC process. Successful qualifying proposals can reasonably expect travel support from OPTICON

Applications for observing during 2011A will be made via a web-based proposal tool based on the NORTHSTAR system. This call will close on 1 September 2010 at noon UT. Proposals will be ranked by scientific merit and the ranked list will be allocated based on scientific merit and operational constraints (including the available budget). As in the past, proposers supported under the scheme will be granted funds to travel to the telescopes to take up their observing time. The normal rules regarding nationality of the proposal teams will still apply. These rules can be found via the OPTICON pages.

Note that some of these facilities in the programme have policies which allow non-national users to apply via their normal TACs. You are of course welcome to use these opportunities if you wish. However please note that (except for the special case of La Silla) proposals via such national TACs will be treated according to the appropriate national rules but will not qualify for OPTICON support.