Applying for Observing Time
Telescope time for ESO telescopes on Paranal and La Silla is allocated twice a year in periods of 6 months. Allocation periods run from 1 October through 31 March, and from 1 April through 30 September. Applications for observing time on ESO telescopes may only be submitted via the p1 interface (instructions can be found here).
You cannot submit proposals for the regular cycles now.
Please wait for the next announcement of observing time
which will be released end of August 2024.
For your convenience you can look at the historic period 114 CfP.
The Late Breaking News page contains updates regarding proposal submission.
Information about Observing Programmes
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Up to 5% of the general observing time may be used for Director's Discretionary Time Proposals (DDT proposals). For detailed information about DDT proposals see the separate DDT Proposal page. DDT proposals must be submitted via the p1 interface (instructions can be found here).
For sudden astronomical events requiring urgent or even immediate observations, detailed requests can be submitted. A detailed description of ESO's "Target of Opportunity" POLICY (ToO) is given in a separate document. Please read it carefully before submitting any ToO.