Recent inquiries from users as well as members of the CTIO TAC have indicated to us the necessity of clarifying the concept of "long-term status" for observing proposals approved by the TAC. The current version of the CTIO observing proposal form includes a question on the front page that asks if long-term status is being requested. However, it has been several years since the policy governing such requests has been clearly stated. Hence, beginning in the next scheduling period (1 August 1997-31 January 1998) and until further notice, we shall handle long-term status under the following rules:
CTIO will accept proposals for scientific programs on any of its telescopes that extend beyond a single semester. If you wish to apply for such long-term status, check "yes" on the front page of the observing proposal form and provide a one-line summary of your request (e.g., "six nights per semester for four semesters"). The initial proposal should provide the full justification for the total number of nights required to achieve the proposed scientific goals. If long term status is granted, proposals must still be submitted in each subsequent semester. These need include only a brief description of the scientific justification and should concentrate more on summarizing the progress made to date and a restatement of the number of observing runs required for successful termination of the project. Although the granting of long-term status by the TAC does carry with it a commitment for observing time in future semesters, the TAC and the CTIO Director retain the right to terminate long-term status for a proposal if it is felt that insufficient information concerning the progress of the project has been supplied by the PI.
Malcolm Smith, Mark Phillips, Nick Suntzeff, Ron Probst