Since e-mail proposal submission was implemented, we have seen a rapid shift away from paper. Last semester, only two KPNO proposals were not received in electronic form. Because our database is set up to handle electronic proposals quickly and easily, entry of paper proposals now requires significant extra work. While we don't want to exclude people who positively, absolutely cannot submit proposals electronically from applying for telescope time, we do need extra time to process such proposals. Starting with proposals for time in the first semester of 1998, we require that proposals submitted on paper, rather than over the Web or by e-mail, arrive at least one week early. Proposals submitted on paper must be received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, 23 September, to be considered for telescope time in the first semester of 1998. This applies to proposals for both KPNO and CTIO. Proposals submitted on paper may be sent to the NOAO Proposal Office, SCience OPErations Division, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, AZ 85726-6732 (US mail) or 950 N. Cherry, Tucson, AZ 85719 (overnight). Proposals submitted via the Web or by e-mail must arrive by the usual deadline of midnight on 30 September.
Todd Boroson