Important changes for Period 99:

• Changes to the A and 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. 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, observations that can use >1.2 arcsecond seeing in the V-band, thin-thick clouds and no moon constraints. These are particularly needed for VIMOS and VISIR.
• The second generation VLTI instrument GRAVITY, is offered on both the UTs and the ATs in Period 99 in Service Mode (SM). Please note that SM observations are encouraged on all VLTI instruments; teams requesting Visitor Mode for VLTI should carefully justify the need for this mode.
• Guaranteed Time Observation (GTO) Large Programme proposals are offered in Period 99 and can run for up to two periods, provided that this is compatible with the corresponding GTO agreement. As with all Large Programmes, GTO proposals 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's progress, in accordance with the Large Programme reporting procedures.
• Please note that the available time on UT4 is limited in Period 99, as approximately 67 nights are committed to Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF) commissioning activities and GTO.
• X-shooter will be unavailable for a period of approximately 6 weeks in Period 99 to allow for the installation of redesigned atmospheric dispersion corrector (ADC) systems.
• VIMOS is offered in Period 99 for the last time