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<div class="">Dear Observer,</div>
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<div class="">The closing date for observing proposals for time on the ANU/RSAA 2.3m telescope at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO) in the quarter 1st May 2020 - 31st July 2020 is 23:59 February 15, 2020. </div>
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<div class="">NOTE - All proposers need to tell us whether they plan to observe in person or remotely, and whether they are requesting paid or unpaid nights. Proposals with these fields left blank will be discarded.</div>
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<div class="">Instruments available:</div>
<div class="">Nasymth A: WiFeS Nasymth B: Imager or Echelle.</div>
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<div class="">Observing proposals must be submitted electronically via the RSAA web pages.</div>
<div class="">Full instructions are available at <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7iHBCQnzP0twyOn7FxEojT?domain=rsaa.anu.edu.au" class="">
http://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/observing-rsaa</a>.</div>
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<div class=""> *************************** PLEASE NOTE ***********************************</div>
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<div class="">The ANU 2.3-metre telescope at Siding Spring Observatory is scientifically productive and a valuable resource for student training and instrument development. These diverse and significant benefits justify its continued operation for the foreseeable
future. The full cost to the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) of operating the 2.3m telescope (including staff, maintenance and repairs) corresponds to approximately $1800 per night. To defray this cost, RSAA is offering priority on
the 2.3m telescope to paying customers from Australia and elsewhere, while simultaneously ensuring a level of open access to astronomers at all Australian institutions. </div>
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<div class="">60% of the telescope time will be allocated to paid priority proposals, which will need to contribute $900 per night towards the running costs of the telescope. The remaining 40% of the time is open-access and remains free. To be eligible to apply
for open-access time, 50% or more of the proposers must be based at Australian institutions.</div>
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<div class="">In future years the price of a priority night will increase and the fraction of open-access nights will decrease. Full details can be found at </div>
<div class=""><a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/rFtkCROAQot3zEwNFNCq45?domain=rsaa.anu.edu.au" class="">https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/applying-time</a></div>
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<div class="">The latest information on using the telescope and its instruments can be found at
<a href="http://https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/observing-rsaa" class="">http://https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/observing-rsaa</a></div>
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<div class="">If you have questions or technical problems in using the web-based submission process, please
<a href="mailto:tacinfo@mso.anu.edu.au" class="">email tacinfo@mso.anu.edu.au</a>.</div>
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<div class="">Paul Francis</div>
<div class="">Chair, ANU TAC</div>
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<font size="1" class="">=============================</font><br class="">
<font size="1" class=""><b class="">Prof. Paul Francis</b></font><br class="">
<font size="1" class=""><i class="">Astrophysicist, ANU Distinguished Educator</i></font><br class="">
<font size="1" class="">Physics Education Centre and Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics</font><br class="">
<font size="1" class="">College of Science</font></div>
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<font size="1" class="">The Australian National University<br class="">
Building 38a, Science Road</font></div>
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<font size="1" class="">Acton, ACT 2601, Australia<br class="">
</font><span style="font-size: x-small;" class="">Tel 02 6125 2824</span><font size="1" class=""><br class="">
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<a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/kJXhCWLJY7inWO10CnJvAl?domain=mso.anu.edu.au" class="">http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/pfrancis/</a><br class="">
CRICOS Provider #00120C</font></div>
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