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

The ESO User Portal is a new 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 new 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 will now use the same username and password for all applications that require them. And more features will be added in the near future. This is only the achievement of the first milestone of this project. 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

Account Questions

Answers to 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 (usd-help@eso.org). Please provide as many details as you think necessary (particularly important are the browser and platform).
  • Is there a 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.

    Answers to Account Questions

    • My account seems to be "deactivated." What should I do?
      You have to activate your account. A web link (URL) for account activation was generated when your account was created, and it was e-mailed to you in mid-November 2007. Please try to locate that e-mail and direct your browser to the URL in the text. If you cannot locate that e-mail please contact the User Support Department (usd-help@eso.org).
    • When I try to login I see the message, "You have not yet activated your account." What should I do?
      You have to activate your account.
      • If the account was created for you by ESO: A web link (URL) for account activation was created and was e-mailed to you in mid-November 2007. Please try to locate that e-mail and direct your browser to the URL in the text. If you cannot locate that e-mail please contact the User Support Department (usd-help@eso.org).
      • If you created your account: A web link (URL) for account activation was created and was e-mailed to you in when you created the account. Please try to locate that e-mail and direct your browser to the URL in the text. If you cannot locate that e-mail please contact the User Support Department (usd-help@eso.org).
    • What username can I choose? For example, can I use my e-mail address?
      The username needs to be alphanumeric (a-z, A-Z, 0-9) and it must not be longer than 11 characters. Symbols or unicode characters are not allowed. Thus, you cannot use your e-mail address, e.g. iman.astronomer@eso.org. Note also that usernames are case sensitive.
    • Are usernames or passwords case-sensitive?
      Usernames are case sensitive. Passwords are case sensitive.
    • What password can I choose? For example, can I use my e-mail address?
      Passwords must be 7-16 characters, with no spaces. Symbols ($, %, @, etc.) are allowed. Hence, in principle you could use your e-mail address. However, for better security use of your e-mail address as a password is strongly discouraged. Note that passwords are case sensitive.
    • I forgot my username. What should I do?
      If you have forgotten your username, please go to the main ESO User Portal login page (http://www.eso.org/UserPortal). On that web page, you will find a link " I forgot my ESO User Portal username.". You will then be prompted for your surname and e-mail address. After you click on the "Send me my username" button a check is made to see if the surname is associated with the e-mail address. Providing the two are associated in our records the username will be sent to that e-mail address.
    • I forgot my password. What should I do?
      If you have forgotten your password, please go to the main ESO User Portal login page (http://www.eso.org/UserPortal). On that web page, you will find a link " I forgot my ESO User Portal password.". You will then be prompted for your username. After you click on the "Send me instructions" button an e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address associated with that username. This e-mail provides instructions for how to change your password, or cancel the password change.
    • I forgot both my username and my password. What should I do?
      If you have forgotten both your username and your password you should first request your username (see I forgot my username. What should I do?), then reset your password (see I forgot my password. What should I do?).
    • What is the Profile Category?
      The Profile Category is a means for ESO to better understand our client base, and improve our services.
    • What is the Profile Country/Organisation?
      The Profile Country/Organisation is the country or organisation code of your present institution (if you have no institute it is the country of residence). The information provided in this field of the form is used both for ESO observing proposal preparation and for pre-loading the Profile Institute field just below this field with corresponding institutes.
    • What is the Profile Institute?
      The Profile Institute is simply the institute for which you work. Selecting any institute results on the postal address being filled-in automatically. In case you do not work for an institute (that is listed), select "No institute" from the dropdown menu and manually enter your address information.
    • What is the Profile Media Type?
      The Profile Media Type is your preferred means of receiving data from the Science Archive Facility. Please note that the actual media type used may vary from this value owing to the volume of the request, your physical location, and other factors.
    • How can I delete my ESO User Portal account?
      You cannot delete your ESO User Portal account.
    • I have two different accounts (two usernames). How can I merge the two?
      If you received two e-mails with two different usernames, please contact usd-help@eso.org so that we can merge your two user accounts into one single account. This is highly recommended in order for you to access your entire communication history with ESO in one single place.

      Answers to Phase 1 (Proposal Submission, WebLetters) Questions

    • Can I still trace all my ESO Service Mode runs?
      Absolutely. After logging into the User Portal (http://www.eso.org/UserPortal) you will see the link "Check my runs" in the navigation bar on the left of the page. Click there and then select "I want to look at all my service mode runs" on the page that appears.
    • How can I access my WebLetters through the User Portal?
      After logging into the User Portal you will see the link "Check the web letters" in the navigation bar on the left of the page. Clicking on that link will give you access to your WebLetters.

      Answers to Archive-Related Questions

    • Can I browse the science archive from the User Portal web page?
      Logging into the User Portal is not required in order to browse the archive, but it is required to request data. To browse the archive you can either click on the link "Browse the archive" in the navigation bar on the left of the main User Portal page (http://www.eso.org/UserPortal), or go directly to http://archive.eso.org/.

      To request data from the archive requires you to be logged into the User Portal. If at the time you request the data you are not already logged in you will be presented with the User Portal login page.

    • I have moved to another institute. How can I change my shipping address?
      With the ESO User Portal you have full control over your contact details, including your address. Once you are logged into the User Portal (http://www.eso.org/UserPortal), you will see a link called "Manage Profile" in the lefthand navigation bar. After you click that you can change the details of your profile, including your address. Remember to click on "Confirm Profile" at the bottom of that page to register your changes.
    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