The astronomical community will receive approximately 30% of the time on the SPIREX/Abu facility during the next austral winter (March-October 1999). Because of the cold, dry, stable conditions at the site, this facility provides exceptional performance in the L and M bands. The response to NOAO's call for proposals for observing time at the South Pole surpassed our expectations. We received 45 proposals requesting approximately 4,086 hours of observing time, representing an oversubscription ratio of about six. All of the proposals were successfully submitted via the NOAO Web form. Eight of the proposals, or 17% of the total, were requests for thesis observations.
On 15 January 1999, a qualified group of scientists gathered in Tucson to undertake the daunting task of ranking these proposals. The panel consisted of James Jackson (Boston), William Latter (IPAC), John MacKenty (STSci), Michael Merrill (NOAO), and Michael Meyer (Steward ). Tod Lauer (NOAO) chaired the meeting.
We wish everyone successful programs.
Todd Boroson