Important changes for Period 98

• Changes to the A & B scientific categories: The B9 category entitled "AGN host galaxies" has been renamed and moved to A9, at the request of the ESO Observing Programmes Committee (OPC). A9 is now called "Surveys of AGNs and AGN host galaxies". The full list of scientific categories can be found here
• ESO strongly encourages programmes that effectively exploit the worst observing conditions on the VLT. More specifically, proposals are invited that request >1.2" seeing in the V-band, thin-thick clouds and no moon constraints. These are particularly needed for VIMOS and VISIR in Period 98.
• OmegaCAM Large Programmes (LPs) that request poor observing conditions are allowed for the first time. They are restricted to programmes that can effectively use poor weather conditions (either no moon constraints, seeing >1.2" or thin/thick clouds).
• Guranteed Time Observation (GTO) Large Programme proposals are accepted for the first time in Period 98 and can run for up to two periods, provided that this is compatible with the corresponding GTO agreement. As with all Large Programmes, GTO Large Programmes must include a detailed delivery plan for the publication of science data products through the Science Archive Facility using Boxes 6 and 7 of the LaTeX template. GTO PIs requesting time through this channel are expected to report to the OPC on the programme progress, in line with Large Programme reporting procedures.
• The second generation VLTI instrument, GRAVITY, is offered for the first time in Period 98 in Service Mode (SM). Please note that SM observations are encouraged on all VLTI instruments; PIs requesting Visitor Mode for VLTI should carefully justify the need for this mode.