[ASA] Operations at Siding Spring Observatory

Fri May 29 17:11:53 AEST 2020

Dear Colleagues,
   I wish to provide the Australian astronomical community with an update on the measures the Australian National University have put in place to cautiously and safely re-start science operations at the AAT, ANU 2.3m, UKST, and SkyMapper telescopes.

On May 7th, science operations on the ANU 2.3m, UKST, and SkyMapper restarted. Science operations on the AAT restarted on May 11th. From June 2nd, instrument changes on the AAT will be permitted. The AAT<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/5zXrC5QPXJiYpJ50uzu92A?domain=aat.anu.edu.au> and 2.3m<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/K1CHC6XQ4Lfl0NjoI6PbKc?domain=mso.anu.edu.au> schedules remain unchanged.

We have been able to restart earlier than anticipated due to the excellent response of the Australian Community in managing the spread of COVID-19.

However, the current situation is fragile, and may change quickly.  In particular, we may need to temporarily stop or restrict science operations at very short notice.

All astronomers will need to do their observations remotely until further notice. To make this easier, we now allow remote observing on the AAT from home to suitably experienced observers and to those who have the bandwidth and screen real-estate. The possibility of remote observing on the 2.3m from home has been available for many years.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Finally, I want to thank everyone for their patience and support as we navigate our way through this complex time.

Chris Lidman

A/Professor Chris Lidman
Director, Siding Spring Observatory, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics,
The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Work: +61-2-6125-0238
Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au<mailto:Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au>

From: Christopher Lidman <Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au>
Date: Thursday, 26 March 2020 at 12:24 pm
To: "asa at physics.usyd.edu.au" <asa at physics.usyd.edu.au>
Cc: Christopher Lidman <Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au>
Subject: Re: Operations at Siding Spring Observatory

Dear Colleagues,
   I wish to provide the astronomical community with an update on the measures the Australian National University is putting into place in response to the current threat posed by the spread of the COVID 19 disease.

The ANU has ceased science operations at the AAT, the ANU 2.3m telescope, SkyMapper and the UKST. Last night was the last night of observing on these telescopes. The shutdown will likely last three months, meaning that science operations will probably not recommence before the end of June.

Over the next 36 hours, SSO technical staff will be shutting down telescopes and instruments and securing buildings, making them safe. SSO staff will continue to visit site on a regular basis to ensure the security of the site.

This is an unprecedented time in the history of the Observatory, and this decision has not been taken lightly. The health of staff at the Observatory and the community is our top priority.

At this stage, the allocation of time for semester 2020B, (August 2020 to January 2021) will continue as normal.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Regards,

Chris Lidman

A/Professor Chris Lidman
Director, Siding Spring Observatory, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics,
The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Work: +61-2-6125-0238
Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au<mailto:Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au>

From: Christopher Lidman <Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au>
Date: Monday, 16 March 2020 at 4:54 pm
To: "asa at physics.usyd.edu.au" <asa at physics.usyd.edu.au>
Cc: Christopher Lidman <Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au>
Subject: Operations at Siding Spring Observatory

Dear Colleagues,

   As you are no doubt aware, the number of people in Australia and elsewhere with the COVID 19 disease continues to increase. Siding Spring Observatory (SSO) is putting in place measures to continue operations as the disease spreads. However, I do wish to advise you that operations may have to change or indeed stop as the situation develops. The health of staff at the Observatory and the community is our top priority.

Observing from SSO is currently permitted, but we recommend that you observe remotely, if you are able to do so. If you need to travel to SSO to observe, please contact SSO at admin-sso at mso.anu.edu.au<mailto:admin-sso at mso.anu.edu.au>.

For the AAT, remote observing is currently available from 6 national (USQ, ICRAR, ANU, UNSW, Swinburne, MQ) and 2 international locations. In anticipation that these remote observing sites will become unavailable, we will allow remote observing from other locations. Given that the bandwidth and screen real estate may be far less than that available at the official remote observing stations, this will be restricted to experienced AAT observers, and it will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Please send such requests to admin-sso at mso.anu.edu.au<mailto:admin-sso at mso.anu.edu.au>.

For the 2.3m, remote observing is already available from any location.

As the disease spreads, we can anticipate that operations at SSO will be affected.

·         We may not have sufficient staff to do a top end change at the AAT, in which case the change to the top end will be delayed, or brought forward, thus leading to the cancellation or postponement of some observing runs and bringing other runs forward

·         We may not have sufficient critical staff (night assistants and afternoon shift technicians) to continue operations at the AAT, in which case operations at the AAT will cease.

·         All SSO staff may be required to self-isolate in which case operations at the AAT, 2.3m, and SkyMapper will cease, instruments will be warmed up, and there will be no technical support for external tenants (e.g. UKST).

The situation is fluid and may change quickly.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Chris Lidman

A/Professor Chris Lidman
Director, Siding Spring Observatory, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics,
The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Work: +61-2-6125-0238
Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au<mailto:Christopher.Lidman at anu.edu.au>

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