Guidelines for a Successful Observing Run
- Arrive at the MMT early.
- Be familiar with the instrument and telescope.
- Send accurate coordinates in an electronic observing catalog ahead of time.
- Familiarize yourself with the MMTO policies on data; bring your own magnetic media.
- Make any special arrangements with the staff well in advance of your observing run.
Notes:
- Arrival at the MMT
- Observer Training
- Data Policies
- Large Groups
- Network
- Cryogens
- Accommodations
- Useful Contact Information
Arrival at the MMT
It is expected that the observer will be at the MMT well enough in advance to ensure that all instrument set-up and calibration tasks can be completed in time to be ready to begin observing as soon as it is dark. Remember that the day crew departs the mountain at 4:00 PM. If you need their help, plan to arrive by 2:30 PM or earlier, depending on your requirements. If it is necessary for accommodations to be made for your late arrival they should be cleared with observatory personnel.For planning purposes, we wish to know your scheduled arrival and departure times. The Whipple Observatory arranges shuttle transportation between Basecamp and the mountain. Observers should make such local transportation arrangements through FLWO at 520-670-5701. Please note that taxi service to the summit is not available.
If you are planning on driving yourself to the mountain, please plan on stopping at the Basecamp to obtain the current gate combination. It would also be advisable to pick up a hand-held radio there for your driving safety.
The Basecamp hours are 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
The FLWO transportation and Dormitory Policies can be found here.
Observer Training
Observers new to the MMT MUST either (i) bring an experienced observer to
the mountain to learn the intricacies of the MMT and the instrument or (ii)
make arrangements to come to the MMT in advance of their run to observe with
an experienced observer. If you have not been checked out in the use of the
instrument, please make sure to study the on-line manual carefully to
familiarize yourself with its operation. In addition you should visit the
mountain and look over the shoulder of an experienced observer for at least
a portion of a night prior to your run. Often this can be arranged with the
observer immediately preceding you on the telescope. If you have any
questions regarding this policy, contact the relevant Instrument Specialist
or the Director well in advance of your observing run to arrange for training
in the use of the instrument. If you do not make such prior arrangements, the
success of your observing run will be put in jeopardy since there is no
guarantee that qualified staff will be on the mountain to train you in the
operation of the instrument.
If you have experience with the scheduled instrument but it has been some time since you last used it, you are encouraged to get updated on any recent changes by contacting Dennis Smith at 520-670-6747.
Data Policies
The MMTO does not supply magnetic media for the storage of data. The
investigator must supply his/her own magnetic tapes (CD-Rs, 4 mm DAT or DLT) for
data acquisition and transport.
The MMTO does not maintain a data archive. Observers using the MMT Spectrograph must be aware that the data storage area on the instrument computers will typically be cleaned during the morning before the next observer's first night. Therefore, it is imperative that you write your data to tape or ftp it to your home institution before you go to bed on the last night of your run.
Large Groups
You must contact Dennis Smith (dsmith@mmto,
520-670-6747) to obtain prior approval if your observing team consists of more than three persons.
Network
Please refer to the Observer's
Computing Page for information on the MMTO network, MMTO computers
available for observer use, and how to connect personal machines to
the MMTO network.
Cryogens
Please notify MMTO staff if you have cryogenic requirements other than
those for the standard facility instruments.
Accommodations
Dorms - The dormitories are operated by the Whipple Observatory per the FLWO
Dorm Policy, which guarantees availability of rooms for two MMT
observers. A fee of $40 per person per night is charged to all but SAO,
UAO and MMTO personnel. It is appreciated if dorm users pay for their rooms
(cash, check, VISA, MC, or Discover) during their stay here if they are
arriving or departing during normal office hours (8:30-5:00, Monday through
Friday). Contact Ginnee Larson at 520-670-5701 with questions about
dormitory use and charges.
Food - The observatory has no food service, so you must buy provisions before
arriving at the Base Camp. Fully equipped kitchens will be at your command, and
staples such as coffee, flour, margarine and condiments are supplied. Soft drink
machines are available, too. Be advised that dishwashing and kitchen cleanup are
the responsibility of kitchen users. Click here for a list of
grocery stores near Tucson International Airport or off I-19 en route to Mt. Hopkins.
Useful Contact Information
Name Phone User name Domain Ginnee Larson (520) 670-5701 vlarson cfa.harvard.edu Tim Pickering (520) 626-3755 tpickering mmto.org Barbara Russ (520) 621-1558 bruss mmto.org Dennis Smith (520) 670-6747 dsmith mmto.org Tom Trebisky (520) 621-5135 ttrebisky mmto.org Faith Vilas (520) 621-1269 fvilas mmto.org Grant Williams (520) 626-0580 gwilliams mmto.org J.T. Williams (520) 621-5407 jtwms mmto.org MMT Operator (520) 204-1355 mmtop mmto.org (Email addresses are of the form username@domain)