New "Bumping" Rules in Effect for NSO/Sac Peak

After agonizing over the difficulties that are encountered when "bumping" observing programs are run at the National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak (see http://www.sunspot.noao.edu/INFO/INTRODUCTION/submission_proposals.html ), the Telescope Allocation Committee has decided to make substantial changes in the rules for bumping. Discussion centered on (1) the considerable time and effort now required to set up most observing programs, which typically require complex instrumental configurations, multiple cameras, and a process of alignment and testing that takes one or more days, and (2) the hope that space-coordinated bumping programs can be run as regular programs if the PI plans ahead with sufficient lead time.

These new rules, which follow, are effective immediately. If you have any questions about them, please contact Raymond N. Smartt (TAC Chair, NSO/SP), smartt@sunspot.noao.edu, Phone (505)434-7033.

• Bumping will only be considered by TAC as a possibility, following a request, if it can be carried out with the current observing program instrumental setup, or with only minor modifications.

• A minimum 48-hour notice to request to bump is required.

• Externally-initiated programs, for which a PI travels to NSO/SP, cannot be bumped.

• A PI cannot bump on a specific program more than once each quarter.

• Balloon/rocket/shuttle type observations that are not pre-scheduled will be handled on a best-judgement basis at that time by available members of the TAC (many times this could be satisfied by Hilltop observations and additional ESF synoptic observations).

Dick Altrock