If you are attending the AAS meeting in Austin, Texas be sure to drop by the NOAO display to find out the latest about observing opportunities through NOAO, which include not only CTIO and KPNO but also the South Pole, the HET, the MMT, and Gemini. NOAO will be accepting proposals for community access time on the HET (27 nights per year) and the MMT (27 nights per year) for the February-July 2000 observing period (proposal deadline 30 September 1999); this access will continue for six years. NOAO is currently accepting proposals for time on the SPIREX/Abu facility at the South Pole (see accompanying article in this section of the Newsletter). Proposals for Gemini North could be accepted as early as September 1999. All time will be awarded through a peer-review process (see article in March 1998 issue of this Newsletter about changes to the proposal and TAC processes to accommodate these facilities).
We will have flyers outlining the capabilities of these new facilities as well as information on current telescopes and instrumentation at Cerro Tololo and Kitt Peak. There will also be information about the new NOAO Survey Program being initiated for NOAO facilities next year (see accompanying article in this section of the Newsletter). NOAO staff members will be at the display to answer questions you may have about NOAO and its facilities in general.
Hope to see you at the AAS meeting!
Todd Boroson