Welcome to the ESO User Portal General Information and FAQ page.

Introduced in November 2007, the ESO User Portal is an interface connecting ESO and its users community. Within this system, account information (username, password, contact information) for all science and observations related web-based applications (e.g. WASP, the Web Application for Submitting Proposals) and standalone software (P2PP, the Phase 2 Proposal Preparation tool) is unified, and user-controllable.

This interface is the result of a large inter-division collaborative effort, that has involved all those ESO groups and departments responsible for providing operational support to the users via different web-based applications (e.g. proposal submission, preparation of Phase 2 packages, access to the ESO Archive). It is intended to make the use of ESO web applications and other software simpler, and more manageable. For instance, users now use the same username and password for all applications that require them.

Already since the release of the User Portal we have begun releasing new features. As of 1April2008, Principal Investigators (PIs) can access their own raw proprietary data at any time through the ESO Archive (see Delmotte (2008)). And more features will be added in the near future. For further information see the questions and answers below or read The Messenger article announcing the launch of the User Portal.

Below you will find the ESO User Portal frequently asked questions (FAQ).
If you have a question or issue not covered by one or more of the FAQ please feel free to contact usd-help@eso.org

ESO User Portal Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

When do I need to use the User Portal?

You will need to use your single User Portal username and password to access all science and observations related web-based applications where logins are normally required and for the Phase 2 Proposal Preparation tool (P2PP). The former includes requesting data from the Science Archive Facility, checking the WebLetter containing the OPC and scheduling information for observing proposals, checking the status of Service Mode runs,etc.

In addition, unlike in the past, when preparing an observing proposal the User Portal username of the Principle Investigator must be supplied in the LaTeX template. Further, to be able to access the Web Application for Submission of Proposal (WASP) web page you will also need to provide User Portal credentials.

Which browser do I need to use to access the User Portal?

The ESO User Portal should in principle run under any of the newer browsers. The User Portal has been tested using the two most common browsers, Firefox (Version 2) and Internet Explorer (Version 6 and higher), on several different platforms. Problems have been reported for older browsers such as Netscape 4.78 and Netscape 6.

I have used ESO's telescopes for years. Do I have to create a new User Portal account?

All ESO users who have been the Principle Investigator on an observing proposal to an ESO-run facility or have registered with the ESO Science Archive Facility have had an ESO User Portal account created for them. All these known users will receive an e-mail (sent to the most recent e-mail address in our records) with further information, including how to activate the account.

I have problems with the web form. Who should I contact?

In case of problems please contact the ESO User Support Department Please provide as many details as you think necessary (particularly important are the browser and platform).

Is there an ESO User Portal Newsletter?

No, there is no User Portal Newsletter. ESO does produce an electronic newsletter (see http://www.eso.org/sci/enews for details, including how to subscribe), and news about the ESO User Portal will be announced there.