[ASA] Australian Magellan access news

[Australian Gemini Office]

*
Extension of Australian Magellan access**
*
Since 2007 the Australian astronomical community has had access to the 
twin 6.5m Magellan telescopes on Las Campanas Observatory in Chile, to 
complement its share of time on the Gemini 8m telescopes in Hawaii and 
Chile. That access was funded originally from the Major National 
Research Facilities program, and until the end of the 2013A semester 
from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy 
program. Astronomy Australia Ltd (AAL) and the Australian Gemini Office 
(AusGO) are pleased to announce that funding has been secured, and a 
contract now signed with the Carnegie Institution for Science, for 
continued Australian access to the Magellan telescopes through Semester 
2014A inclusive, and AAL is currently working to secure funds to extend 
access through until the end of Semester 2015B.


*Minimum Magellan run length request*

At a forum during the 2012 Australian Gemini and Magellan Science 
Symposium (http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/symp2012/) concern was expressed by 
some users that the current 2 night minimum request for Magellan time 
often precludes them from applying to carry out important projects which 
could be done in less time. After consultation with the Australian Time 
Allocation Committee (ATAC) which allocates Australian time on Magellan, 
we have decided to reduce the minimum Magellan run length request to 
half a night, with the proviso that the ability to schedule such 
programs cannot be guaranteed even if highly-ranked. Applicants may 
nominate other proposals which they could share time with, and the ATAC 
Chair will also work with the Magellan Scheduler to identify approved 
programs from other Magellan partners which could share nights with 
Australia. AusGO will continue to reimburse Australian users of Magellan 
for the costs of traveling to Chile, but may need to limit the number of 
such visits (e.g. by having an observer make observations for programs 
other than their own) to rationalise the use of these funds.


For complete information about Magellan facilities and access, please 
see http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/magellan.html. A call for Magellan proposals 
in Semester 2013B will be issued in early March 2013, with a proposal 
deadline of 5:00pm AEST Monday 8 April 2013.


Stuart Ryder
Australian Gemini Office

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