Since our summit facilities are limited, and extra persons place an extra burden on technical support staff, we have generally discouraged the practice of arriving on Tololo before the starting day of a run.
However, it is apparent that the operation of some of our instruments is a sufficiently complex task that an early arrival to begin the learning process will enhance the science output. This is particularly true for first time or "rusty" users of Argus, the Rutgers Fabry-Perot, and the IR tip-tilt instruments COB and IRS. Observers using these instruments may wish to arrive a day ahead of their scheduled run and spend the evening quietly looking over the shoulder of the previous observer, with his/her prior consent. Requests to do so will be regarded favorably by CTIO.
The normal level of startup support will continue to be provided for these instruments on the scheduled first night of a run. We do not intend that the departing observer substitute for scientific staff support!
Malcolm Smith,Tom Ingerson
Bob Schommer,Ron Probst