Abstract -- This document explains how Principal
Investigators (PIs) can submit QSO mode proposals and observations, and
what services
can be expected from CFHT. This document is not instrument-specific and
applies to MegaPrime, WIRCam, and ESPaDOnS.
Keywords -- QSO, Regular/TOO/Snapshot programs, Deadlines, Poopsy, Exposure Time Calculators, Technical Evaluations, TAC, Ranking, QSO grade, C programs, Snapshot programs, PH2, Observations, Sky conditions, Calibrations, Night Reports, Data reduction and distribution, Proprietary period, QSO rules, Contact information. |
The Queued Service Observing mode used at CFHT offers many advantages over Classical Observing: higher efficiency on the sky (because Service Observers are highly trained and observe frequently), high priority given to the most important projects (i.e., those highly ranked), observations carried under constraints specified by PIs (e.g. Image Quality requirement), very short observations possible (e.g. 2 hrs), unexpected and short notice events can be observed (e.g. Gamma Ray burst). QSO started in 2001 with CFH12k, and is now used with MegaPrime (2003), WIRCam (2005), and ESPaDOnS (2008).
Grade | Grade Name | Global Priority | % of Telescope Time |
A | "Must-Do" | Highest | 30-35 |
B | "Prioritized" | Good | 35-50 |
C | "Best Effort" | Medium | 20-30 |
S | "Snapshot" | Lowest | N/A |
Image Quality (IQ) | Frequency (%) |
IQ ≤ 0.55" | 5 |
0.55" < IQ ≤ 0.65" | 25 |
0.65" < IQ ≤ 0.80" | 30 |
0.80" < IQ ≤ 1.0" | 25 |
1.0" < IQ ≤ 1.2" | 15 |
IQ > 1.2" | 5 |
The table below gives the average weather statistics for Mauna Kea. In general, the amount of time lost is higher during "A" semesters than during "B" semesters, in particular during the first few months of the winter when it is not unusual to see more than half the time lost to bad weather.
Sky Conditions | Frequency |
Usable Nights | ~70% |
Lost to Weather | ~20-30% |
Usable Photometric Nights | ~50% |