Interested parties should contact the VLT Programme Scientist (J. Melnick), Instrumentation (A. Moorwood) and Paranal (A. Kaufer).
Acceptable Visitor Instruments (VI) shall offer observational capabilities not covered by other VLT instruments, or a largely superior performance in at least one valuable and sufficiently extensive scientific application. A major advantage of a VI is the capability to react quickly to new scientific and/or technical opportunities. Speed shall be a major criterion for the selection of VIs.
VIs shall be fully stand-alone, complete instruments, including their own data acquisition and storage capabilities. VIs shall comply with the VLT standards for safety, the interface to the Nasmyth adapter/rotator, power and coolant supplies, and LAN connection. Detailed information is available here.
VIs shall be operated exclusively in Visitor Mode. The use of Observation Blocks is optional.
VI data shall not enter the VLT data flow system. The VI Team shall take care
of storing the data[, with a copy delivered to ESO headquarters. If
scientifically appropriate and technically feasible, data shall be made publicly
accessible one year thereafter, following current regulations on proprietary
periods].
Following its approval, the present document will be posted as an Announcement
of Opportunity on the ESO WEB. Proposals for a visitor instrument may
be submitted at any time by individual institutes in ESO member states and
Chile, Consortia of such institutes or international Consortia led by an ESO
member state institute.
VI proposals shall be submitted to ESO where they will be evaluated scientifically, technically, and operationally. Proposals shall contain
The proposals along with their ESO evaluation will be presented jointly to the STC and OPC. The STC will give its recommendations concerning the scientific and technical value of the proposed VI. The OPC will give its recommendations concerning the number of VLT nights to be granted to the VI Team.
Following positive OPC and STC recommendations, a contract shall be negotiated and stipulated between ESO and the VI Team. The contract shall specify the performance requirements of the instrument, the periods during which it will be attached to the telescope, the operational procedures, as well as the number and distribution of the observing nights allocated to the VI Team. The VI Team shall be responsible for delivery, installation, commissioning and operation ofthe instrument, as well as for its dismounting from the VLT at the end of the contract. The contract may be extended by mutual agreement.
ESO shall, where applicable, be kept informed about the progress and status
of the instrument during its design and construction phases, e.g. by participating
in the design reviews. At the end of the commissioning, the instrument
shall be accepted released for operation, upon verification that it
meets the
performance, safety and operational requirements specified in the contract.
After acceptance release for operation the VI Team shall be entitled
to use the instrument on the VLT for the amount of time specified in the contract.
Any extra-time required for commissioning may be deducted from the scientific
time.
If appropriate, VIs may also be offered to the community for specified periods
of time via the regular Calls for Proposals. The implementation of this possibility
will be subject to the positive recommendation of the OPC and STC, as well
as of the operational feasibility as assessed by ESO. The corresponding VI
proposals shall be evaluated by the OPC following the normal procedures.
A VI remains property of the VI Team, unless differently agreed upon between ESO and the Team. In the case of transfer of property to ESO the Team is entitled to guaranteed observing nights the number of which shall be specified following the general ESO guidelines for this matter.