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<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Dear Observer,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">The closing date for observing proposals for time on the ANU/RSAA 2.3m telescope at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO) in the quarter 1st August 2021 - 31st October 2021 is 23:59 May 15, 2021.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">NOTE - Only remote observations will be permitted in the short term due to COVID-19.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">WiFeS is the only instrument available (The Echelle and Imager have been decommissioned).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Observing proposals must be submitted electronically via the RSAA web pages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Full instructions are available at <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/SGp_C4QOPEiB99R68FOwNXq?domain=rsaa.anu.edu.au">http://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/observing-rsaa</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">*************************** PLEASE NOTE ***********************************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">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.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">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
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/6bf3C5QPXJiZppwRlFOH15G?domain=rsaa.anu.edu.au">https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/applying-time</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">The latest information on using the telescope and its instruments can be found at http://<a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/LcRSC6XQ4Lfr00ZMWHmbHfU?domain=rsaa.anu.edu.au">https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/observers/observing-rsaa</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">***************************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">If you have questions or technical problems in using the web-based submission process, please email tacinfo@mso.anu.edu.au.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Paul Francis<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Chair, ANU TAC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">=============================<br>
Prof. Paul Francis<br>
ANU Distinguished Educator, Astrophysicist<br>
Mt Stromlo Observatory, and the Physics Education Centre<br>
College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences<br>
Building 38a, Tel 02 6125 2824 or 8031<br>
The Australian National University<br>
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia<br>
<a href="mailto:paul.francis@anu.edu.au"><span style="color:#0563C1">paul.francis@anu.edu.au</span></a><br>
<a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/kWE1C71R2NTAVVnyRHNTCuq?domain=mso.anu.edu.au/"><span style="color:#0563C1">http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/~pfrancis/</span></a><br>
CRICOS Provider #00120C<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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