Visitor Mode
Phase 2 Guidelines

This page provides information about Observation Block (OB) creation only for users assigned Visitor Mode time at ESO telescopes. Astronomers having obtained observing time in Service Mode should consult instead the Instructions for Phase 2 preparation of Service Mode runs (VLT and MPI-ESO 2.2m telescope runs), the Instructions for Phase 2 preparation of Service Mode runs with La Silla telescopes (runs with the NTT or 3.6m telescopes), or the Instructions for Phase 2 preparation of APEX runs.

Users should familiarize themselves with the appropriate instrument documentation, including ESO supported calibration plans, as well as with all the various logistic-related aspects available from the La Silla and Paranal webpages. Please consult as well the ESO Instructions for Astronomers on Mission to Chile.

All Visitor Mode users are encouraged to read the P2PP User Manual before arriving on La Silla or Paranal.

Important note for VIMOS MOS Visitor Mode Observers: due to the demands of the mask preparation and manufacturing process, VIMOS MOS Visitor Mode observers must submit at least a part of their OBs well in advance of the observing run following the procedures outlined here.

OB Preparation on the Mountain

In principle, all Visitor Mode observers are requested to arrive on La Silla or Paranal 48 hours before the beginning of their observing run to allow time for OB preparation. Your Support Astronomer on the mountain will provide you will all needed guidance with the process of preparing your OBs. Visitor Mode observers with previous on-site P2PP observing experience may arrive on the mountain 24 hours before the beginning of their observing runs. Even in this latter case however, if you expect to need substantial assistance during the preparation of your observing run (for example because of using a new instrument), you should plan to arrive 48 hours in advance.

OB Preparation before arriving on the Mountain

ESO strongly encourages all users to prepare their OBs in advance to the arrival at the Observatory, without being under time pressure or fatigue after intercontinental travel. To do this, please follow the instructions given in the P2PP Page for installation of P2PP in your local computer and the additional indications in the P2PP User Manual.

Investigators preparing their OBs remotely for a Visitor Mode run should not check them in the ESO Database. Use instead the copy of the OBs in your Local Cache (see the P2PP User Manual for complete information). Such a copy is automatically generated every time you create or modify an OB.

Needless to say, please make sure that your remotely prepared OBs are accessible from the mountain when you arrive there by having stored them on a site accessible via FTP, on a laptop computer that can be connected to the local network, or on a data storage medium such as a DAT tape or a CD-ROM.

Please contact the ESO User Support Department if you need assistance on P2PP installation or if you have any questions on the remote preparation of your OBs not specifically related to your observing programme.

Who To Contact For Help

Investigators assigned Visitor Mode time should contact the appropriate telescope team:

• VLT: Paranal Science Operations
• NTT, 3.6m, 2.2m: La Silla Science Operations.

All investigators assigned Service Mode time should contact the ESO User Support Department in all matters regarding Phase 2.

If you are unsure on whether your allocated time is in Service or Visitor mode, please contact the Visiting Astronomers Department (VISAS).