Phase 2 is the step when users of ESO's telescope facilities prepare for their observations. The observation preparation differs slightly for users who have been granted Service Mode observations versus observers who will travel to the telescope for their Visitor Mode observations or who have time allocated in designated Visitor Mode.

The backbone of all observations are the Observation Blocks (OBs) which one prepares with the Phase 2 web-based application p2 for Paranal and using p2ls for observations on La Silla. PIs of the approved observing runs can delegate the Phase 2 tasks by declaring their Phase 2 delegate(s) in the User Portal. 

Help and instructions for Phase 2 preparations is offered by different teams, depending on the nature of the observations, via web pages and email contact. The helpdesk support portal includes several knowledgebase articles that cover frequently asked questions. Support request submitted by selecting "submit helpdesk ticket" on the top right of the helpdesk portal will be distributed to the appropriate expert team. Further information is available from the following links:

• Service Mode observation guidelines (VLT, VLTI), contact: User Support Department
  
• Paranal (designated) Visitor Mode guidelines (VLT and VLTI), on-site info for visiting astronomers. Email contact: Paranal Science Operations
• La Silla Visitor Mode guidelines (NTT and 3.6m), on-site info for visiting astronomers. Email contact: La Silla Science Operations

Quick links:

• Instrument table
• Additional information and contacts