Following an incremental ramp-up plan, La Silla Paranal Observatory has been supporting science operations for all telescopes and systems over the past months. As of March 29, the Observatory moves one more step ahead, to the ‘Full Operations’ mode. This step lifts several of the limitations that have been present since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, while still maintaining a basic set of sanitary restrictions on site. For science users the most important change is that as of June 2022 the observatory will again welcome visiting astronomers on site.
La Silla Paranal Observatory Welcomes Back Visiting Astronomers
Published: 24 Mar 2022
For the duration of Period 109 the possibility to carry out Visitor Mode observations at the observatory will be offered for observing slots of 3 nights or more. It is foreseen to allow one visitor per run, with exceptions possible for extended slots. ESO’s Observing Program Office (OPO) will soon contact P109 Visitor Mode PIs to whom the trip to the site is offered. Travel will not be mandatory, and all users will continue to be able to execute their observations remotely in designated visitor mode, if they so prefer.