|
|
| Incoming mail can be collected
from the mailboxes sorted by room number at the entrance to the dining hall,
while Outgoing mail may be posted in any of the yellow boxes found at the
hotel entrance or on the ground floor of the offices & Library building
(next to the staircase). Mail, sent to be forwarded from Garching, should
be labeled with special stickers bearing our Garching return-address. Mail
via "DiploBag Garching", reaches La Silla on Wednesdays and leaves
La Silla on Thursdays at 16:15 hr.. In compliance with international agreements,
use of the "Diplo-Bag Garching" is restricted to scientific material,
such as magnetic tapes, or letters. No personal effects can be sent, and
ESO reserves the right to open and check all mail and parcels. |
Library Facilities 
|
| The
scientific library at La Silla is situated at the second floor in the Administration
building. It contains the main astronomical journals as well as books, atlases
and reference catalogs. In the library there is a public terminal where
visitors may consult the online catalogue that displays the bibliographic
material contained in all ESO libraries at Santiago, Garching, La Silla,
and Paranal. Access is also provided to the web pages of the main journals
in the field, and visitors can download and print articles from these periodicals.
If a book or article is not available at La Silla, the librarian in Santiago
can be contacted for help, either via e-mail to libchile@eso.org
or phones 3153 - 3183. |
Meals  
|
|
The meal hours have been established as
follows:
|
|
From
|
To
|
|
Breakfast
|
07:00
|
10:30
hr.
|
|
Lunch
|
12:30
|
13:30
hr.
|
|
Dinner
|
17:30
|
19:30
hr.
|
|
Midnight
Service
|
24:00
|
02:00
hr.
|
|
Laundry Services 
|
|
This service
is accessible to all visiting astronomers. To use it, just follow these
simple instructions:
1.- Fill
in the "Laundry Service Form" (available at bedrooms), with
the specifications regarding the clothes to be washed.
2.- After
filling in the form, take it with your clothes to the laundry room and
leave them inside one of the lockers placed there. Take the key in the
locker, and register your name in the laundry book.
3.- People
in charge of cleaning will check the laundry book, open the corresponding
locker, read the completed form (with the specifications for cleaning),
and proceed accordingly. 24 hours later -at the latest- you can take your
clothes from the laundry room by opening the locker you previously used.
Your clothes, now clean, will be there waiting for you.
 The
hotel is not responsible for discoloring, shrinkage, loss of personal
belongings left in your laundry or any other type of damage,
which may occur to your laundry.
|
|
Souvenirs
|
|
Some souvenirs such as La Silla posters,
T-shirts, caps, and flashlights, can be bought at the Reception Desk.
The prices are as follows:
| Caps: |
€5 |
| Flashlights: |
€12 |
| Posters: |
€1.25 |
| T-shirts |
€6 |
|
|
Science Operations Department
(Sciops) |
|
The
Science Operation Department (SciOp) handles the operation of the
NTT, ESO 3.6m and ESO/MPI 2.2m.
An astronomer, the "SciOp Shift Leader", is in charge of the overall coordination
of the observations, in case some changes of schedules are needed (e.g.
in case of Target of Opportunity request). From the technical point of
view, the "SciOp Coordinator" is supervising and coordinating all the
technical actions taking place on the telescopes. He is helped by three
"Telescope Coordinators", each in charge of one of the telescope. To contact
SciOp, send a mail to ls-sciops@eso.org.
To check
the last -updated version- of the telescope and staff schedule, you may
visit the section SciOps
Info, or just go to
http://www.ls.eso.org/lasilla/sciops/schedule/ Information
on how to prepare your observations are available on a separate page:
http://www.ls.eso.org/lasilla/sciops/observing/visitor.html
|
|
Use of ESO Cars
|
|
Cars are available for observers (bearing
a proper driver's license) at the NTT and 3.6-m telescope. However, their
use is restricted to the observatory area and they should not be driven
elsewhere. The cars assigned to the visitors are parked next to Dormitory
300 (above the hotel). Your support astronomer will indicate you which
one you can use. Please note that you can use the car from 16:00 until
morning, and that the car should be left in the parking next to Dorm 300
with the keys on, so that the day crew can use it.
|
|
Assistance during the Observing Run
|
|
For observations
on VLT-compliant instruments, your support astronomer will give you a
pre-introduction on the night before your observations, during which you
will settle the details of your instrument set up and observations procedures,
and also, get trained to the use of the
Phase 2 Preparation Program (P2PP).
All observers will also get an introduction at the telescope on the afternoon
before the first night, during which the support astronomer will give
a detailed explanation and demonstration of the systems involved in the
observations. The support astronomer will also be present at the telescope
during the beginning of the first night, and will be available for assistance
during the whole run (typically until 2:00 – 3:00 am).
On all the
telescopes, the observer will be assisted by a Telescope and Instrument
Operator (Day TIO works from morning till 19:00; and the Night TIO from
19:00 till end of night). The operator's task may cover all the aspects
of an observing program, but the final responsibility for the data obtained
rests exclusively with the Visiting Astronomer. The operators are allowed
to take a 45-minute midnight lunch break between 12:00 and 2:00 am. Should
this interfere with the observations, a TIO from another telescope or
a support astronomer will replace him/her during that time.
|
|
Reports and Requests
|
|
An electronic reporting system is used
to provide a brief summary of the night (even if no observations could
be performed); the night TIO will fill it with input from the visiting
astronomer if needed. The same system is used to request anything required
for the next night, any malfunction or repair, requirement, complaint
or abnormal event, comments on weather, etc. Again, the night TIO will
fill these reports with input from the visitor.
|
|
Data Reduction Facilities and e-mail
|
|
Data reduction facilities are available
on the ground floor of the Library building's southward wing. You are
welcome to use any of the free Linux PCs ("drl...") using the username
and password that is assigned to you for the time of your stay (sheet
received at check-in time). These machines are equiped with large disks
on which your data can be transfered. You can also use these machines
to send email. However, note that you cannot receive email on there; you
should re-direct the "Reply-to" to your usual email. During the time of
your observations, you are also welcome to use the porwerful workstations
installed at the telescope, on which your data are automatically transfered.
Laptop computers can be hooked to the network in the computer room, in
your bed room and at the telescope, using the DHCP protocol. However,
please note that any MS-window PC MUST be scanned by the system
manager (Library building, lower floor) BEFORE being connected
to the network.
|
|
Target of Opportunity
|
|
Each year, a number of unforeseen, interesting
astronomical events, e.g. comets, supernovas, etc. occur. You may be requested
to observe such events, or give up the telescope to a staff astronomer
for a limited period. Your cooperation is called for in the spirit of
science. A policy
document describing rules for ToO is available here.
|
|
Custody of Values
|
|
The Administration does not accept responsibility
for values and/or documents lost at La Silla. During your stay, these
may be kept in custody in our safe, located at the Reception Desk, in
a sealed envelope with the owner’ s name written on top.
|
|
Ending Your Observing Run
|
|
Your data
will be written on CDs or DVDs. We will do our best to have these ready
before you leave La Silla; the day TIO or your support astronomer will
hand them to you. Nevertheless, in case we cannot have them ready in time,
we will express mail them to the address you leave on the backup request
form. Please note that these CDs/DVDs contain only the raw data. You will
have to archive any reduced or processed frame that you would like to
keep. Your support astronomer can provide you with CDs for that purpose.
It is your own responsibility to pack
and prepare for shipment any instrument(s) brought especially for your
observations, or any tapes, etc. obtained during your run, even if this
means prolonging your stay on the mountain. Packing material can be obtained
from the Warehouse, who should be informed in advance of any special specifications.
If you require special shipment handling for your parcel(s), kindly notify
the Front Desk Officer (special forms, also available from the warehouse,
may be required in some cases). In any case, all parcels should clearly
indicate destination address, sender's name, contents, weight and way
of shipment (surface, air).
At the end of your observing run please
fill out the electronic End-of-Mission
Report form, giving a brief account on the observing run, and
including any comments you may deem appropriate about your experience
at La Silla. Your help in this regard will be much appreciated.
|
|
Before
leaving La Silla:
|
- Check-out
time is 3:00 pm.
- Check
that clothes are left in your room and return the key and torch to the
Front Desk Officer.
- Return
any books to the library and other materials to their source. Borrowed
audiocassettes/DVDs should be returned to the Front Desk Officer.
- Astronomers
who have phone bill and/or invoice and stay at the guesthouse after
leaving La Silla, may pay for their bills directly there.
- Astronomers
who have phone bill and/or invoice and do not stay at the guesthouse,
should pay for their bills at the Reception Desk.
|
| |
|
Information about La Silla
|
|
To get more information concerning La Silla, such as its History, Staff
and Management, Milestones, among other interesting topics, visit the
page: About
La Silla.
To see a general plan
of the observatory, click here.
|
|
Weather
and Dome-Closing Conditions
|
Should weather conditions, e.g. high wind
or humidity, hamper operations, observers are expected to follow the instructions
from the Telescope and Instrument Operators, which are to be followed unconditionally.
The closing conditions to be respected are given below, but TIOs are entitled
to close at any time if they consider that the conditions are dangerous.
For further information, go to http://www.ls.eso.org/lasilla/dimm/dimm.html#H_Restric
|
Wind Speed
|
|
A master anemometer records wind speed
in the telescope area. Their readings are displayed on the MeteoMonitor
web page. The TIOs will monitor this information and take the corresponding
acctions. The wind restrictions are summarized in the table below.
|
|
Wind Speed Monitor Light Codes
|
Lights
|
Speed
(m/sec)
|
Action
By Observer
|
|
|
<
14
|
|
|
|
14
- 20
|
Don’t
observe into the wind
|
|
|
>
20
|
CLOSE
DOME: Don’t wait to be told!
|
|
| These rules apply for all telescopes excepting
the NTT for which the speeds are 12 and 16 m/sec. respectively. |
| |
|
Humidity
|
|
General humidity sensors are installed
on the weather tower; their readings are relayed on the MeteoMonitor .
Domes have to be closed when the relative humidity exceeds 90%, and can
be re-opened when it remains below 80%. Similarly, the domes must be closed
when the temperature difference between the coldest part of the telescope
and the dew point drops below 2 degress. It is the responsibility of the
TIOs to decide when to close and re-open the domes. It must also be noted
that, because of water, snow or ice build-up on the dome, it can happen
that the TIO will not re-open even if the conditions seems good. The TIOs'
instructions have to be followed unconditionally.
|
|
Meteorological Information
|
|
Further information about the prevailing
and future weather conditions on La Silla can be obtained via our Home
Page. In particular, the MeteoMonitor
displays a continuously updated information about seeing, wind-speed and
direction, humidity, atmospheric pressure, etc.
|
|
La
Silla Telephone System
|
Upon arrival at La Silla you will receive
a personal code (PIN), which you must use whenever you need to make phone
calls from any telephone on the mountain,
including dormitories. To proceed, just follow these instructions:
Official Phone calls:
To make official phone calls to Santiago, Long Distance National or Long Distance International calls, always dial "0" + "01" + your code
To make phone calls to La Serena always dial "92" + "01" + your code
To make private phone calls to Santiago, Long Distance National or Long Distance International calls always dial "0" + "11" + your code
To make phone calls to La Serena always dial "92" + "11" + your code
The complete
sequences would be as follows:
| Oficial
calls to Santiago |
|
Official
Long Distance National calls |
| 0 + 01 + PIN + telephone number |
|
0 + 01 + PIN + 171 + area code + telephone number |
| |
|
|
| Oficial
calls to La Serena |
|
Official
Long Distance International calls |
| 92
+ 01 + PIN + telephone number |
|
0 + 01 + PIN + 1710 + country code + area code + telephone number |
| |
|
|
| Private
calls to Santiago |
|
Private
Long Distance National calls |
| 0 + 11 + PIN + telephone number |
|
0 + 11 + PIN + 171 + area code + telephone number |
| |
|
|
| Private
calls to La Serena |
|
Private
Long Distance International calls |
| 92
+ 11 + PIN + telephone number |
|
0 + 11 + PIN + 1710 + country code + area code + telephone number |
|
To
reach you at La Silla
|
|
From outside Chile:
|
+ 56 +2
|
+ 464 + four-digit extension
|
|
From Santiago:
|
.
|
+
464 + four-digit extension
|
|
|
To
receive a fax at the Reception Desk
|
| Main
fax numbers: (24 hr) |
+56 + 2 464 4101
|
The personal code is not needed to call within ESO.
In the event of technical problems, Telescope
Team personnel may be summoned following the list below. You may first try
the telephone extension appearing in the list. If unsuccessful, use the paging
(or "beeper") system: dial 93;
you will hear a single "beep". Then, dial the paging code of the
person needed; you will hear an intermittent "beeping". After it,
you have 15 seconds to deliver the number of the extension you are calling
from (which you should repeat 2 or 3 times) speaking slowly and clearly into
the phone. After that, put down the phone to allow the addressee to ring you
back.
The table below shows the phone and beeper
numbers of key personnel who work at telescopes. In addition, more information
on beeper numbers and phone extensions can be obtained from the Observatory's
contact list.
Main
Beeper and Phone Numbers
|
Science
Operations Department
|
|
|
2.2m
|
3.6m
|
NTT
|
|
Support
Astronomer
|
02
|
03
|
04
|
| Telescope
Coordinator/Day TIO |
12
|
13
|
14
|
| Night
TIO |
62
|
63
|
64
|
|
General
|
| Operation
Engineers/Deputies |
E.
Barrios: 43
|
P.
LeSaux: 53
|
.
|
| Safety
Advisor |
M.
Pizarro: 84
|
.
|
.
|
| SciOp
Coordinator |
83
|
|
.
|
| Shift
Leader |
82
|
|
.
|
| Head
of SciOp: Olivier Hainaut |
90
|
.
|
.
|
| RITZ
(Telescope Control Building) Phone Numbers |
| NTT
Console -astro- |
4531
|
| NTT
Console -TIO- |
4532
|
| 3.6m
Console -astro- |
4541
|
| 3.6m
Console -TIO- |
4542
|
| 2.2m
Console -astro- |
4551
|
| 2.2m
Console -TIO- |
4552
|
| Office
1 |
4561
|
| Office
2 -astro- |
4562
|
| Office
3 |
4563
|
| Office
4 -TIOs- |
4564
|
| Computers
2.2m & USERS |
4565
|
| Computers
NTT & 3.6m |
4566
|
| Kitchen |
4567
|
| Electric
Room |
4568
|
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