7/14/2023 0 Comments Infrared telescope near meAll program changes must be approved by the Director. Observers should not negotiate with scheduled observers. In addition, observers may request DDT observing time outside of the scheduled engineering time requiring fast response. As with ToO interrupt proposals, DDT requests should include at least one team member capable of carrying out the observation without support from IRTF staff. Evaluation of DDT requests will be based on the same criteria used for regular observing proposals, and on the urgency or time-critical nature of the observation. A request for DDT should be submitted by email to both John Rayner ( and Adwin Boogert ( and must include a strong programmatic or scientific justification, a technical description of the proposed observations (including target information, instrument settings, required S/N, and justification for the amount of time requested), and a discussion for why this work was not proposed in the last proposal cycle and why it can’t wait for the next proposal cycle. DDT is reserved for follow-up of newly-discovered objects and of unexpected transient phenomena, or when developments since the last proposal cycle make time-critical observations necessary. Usually not all of this time is needed for engineering purposes, and some can be offered to observers in the form of Director’s Discretionary Time (DDT). This time is used to address technical problems with the facility, calibrate instrumentation, and for IRTF staff science. The IRTF schedule includes about 18 nights per semester for engineering. Please contact John Rayner ( if you would like more details on these open positions.Įngineering Time and Director Discretionary Time (DDT) Please contact John Rayner ( if you would like more details on these open positions. These positions are proving difficult to recruit due to a lack of suitable applicants. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact John Rayner ( are also recruiting for an Electrical Engineer II and a Software Engineer for Hilo, and an Electronic Technician for the day crew. We are currently advertising for a new Deputy Director, see the imminent job advertisement here. However, we are hoping that Bobby will return in a part-time capacity after about six months (UH rules). The shutdown is needed for preventative maintenance of the shutter and for additional telescope maintenance.ĭeputy Director Bobby Bus is retiring effective May 1, 2023. Observers should avoid requesting observations during this period. IRTF operations will be shut down during the first half of September (tbc) for telescope maintenance. The total downtime was just over 11 weeks. Following delays in Alimak meeting IRS tax compliance due to unresponsiveness of the Hawaii tax office, and ordering and shipping parts to the telescope, the safety brakes were replaced and successful operations resumed on January 19. Should you have any questions please contact John Rayner ( problems and scheduled summer shutdownįollowing a routine maintenance visit in September, 2022, the shutter vendor (Alimak) found that the shutter safety brakes were out of warranty and recommended that we cease operations until they could be replaced. However, we also encourage first-time student observers to visit. We encourage remote observing to reduce our carbon footprint. IRTF operations have returned to pre-pandemic levels but we remain vigilant against the possibility of another surge. We expect to hear the results of the review within a few months.ĬOVID-19 Precautions and On-site Observing The review panel has presented their findings to NASA management for further evaluation. IRTF’s value to more general astrophysics will also be evaluated. The objective of the review is to examine the IRTF’s scientific productivity and to assess its role in meeting NASA goals, in particular solar system science and mission support, and to decide if operations should continue. IRTF is the only NASA-owned ground-based astronomical telescope. An extensive written review was submitted to the review panel prior to the visit. NASA HQ conducted an Independent Review of IRTF in February, visiting the telescope on February 1 and meeting with IRTF staff in Hilo on February 2. Remote observing is offered from any location with broadband Internet access for any project that utilizes IRTF facility instruments. Please review the information and use our ONLINE application formĪvailable instruments are listed here. Proposal Deadline for Semester 2023B (Augto January 31, 2024) is Monday, April 3, 2023, 5PM Hawaii Standard time.
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