The CTIO version of the fiber-fed multi-object spectrograph "Hydra" is on schedule for commissioning during October-January 1998. We anticipate that Hydra will be ready for limited visitor use during semester 1999A.
Because the instrument will be in its final shakedown period, observing during semester 1999A will be on a "shared risk" basis. Proposals for using Hydra will be accepted and evaluated for scientific merit by the normal review process. Final selection will be based on the anticipated behavior of the instrument at the time of scheduling, after the initial engineering runs in October 1998. All proposals must include a backup plan for observing with the R-C spectrograph if for some reason Hydra is unavailable.
Because the instrument will be new, the Hydra proposals likely to be successful during semester 1999A will be those that do not make excessive demands on its performance. Prospective users should not expect to observe extremely dim targets or in very crowded fields. Experienced observers who have previously used multi-object spectrographs such as Argus or Hydra WIYN are encouraged to propose to use Hydra CTIO during this semester.
Details of the characteristics of Hydra CTIO will be found on the CTIO WWW site at http://www.ctio.noao.edu/spectrographs/hydra/. Documentation is continuously being written so prospective users should check this site frequently. Questions should be addressed to tingerson@noao.edu .
T. Ingerson (tingerson@noao.edu)