Guidelines for Requesting OBSERVING TIME at Mt.Evans Observatory

The University of Denver Department of Physics and Astronomy is open to requests for observing time from bona fide researchers who can make best possible use of the unique facility located atop Mt.Evans. Details about the twin 0.72 meter, f/21 telescopes can be found via webpage links.

While the site has, at times, excellent optical and infrared conditions, the resources necessary to make high-quality observations are still being augmented. Therefore, due to inherent challenges of operating at high altitude and limited resources, we need to know what you/your group, can "bring to the party" in order to optimize all of the above.

This set of guidelines represent important information to be conveyed to the Director for evaluation and negotiation, prior to the award of observing time and staff support. Please address the following in concise language:

1. SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE -- state the nature of the observations to be obtained, the amount of observing time needed for this, and comment on the relation to broader aspects of astronomy and the likely timescale and place for publication of results.

2A. RESOURCES NEEDED: normally, the observatory will grant telescope time, support staff and some level of access to internet/email/phone. Our staff prefer to work weeknights, and not tourist-filled summer weekends and holidays, unless celestial timing necessitates. The proposer should expect to provide at least one observer, plus transportation and meal/lodging expenses for the proposer's team. Depending on particulars of schedule, DU may be able to offer bunk space at Echo Lake Lab, at cost, or at least identify suitable lodging options at nearby Idaho Springs, Colo.

The Meyer binocular telescope features a pair of co-pointed 0.7 meter, f/21 Ritchey-Chretien optics producing an image scale of 14 arcsec per millimeter at main focus [e.g. 0.13 arcsec per 9 micron CCD pixel unbinned]. Proposers who wish to bring their own focal plane instrument(s) will need to consult on interface/bolt patterns, and be prepared to provide all expendibles associated with their instrument (e.g. cryogens). Proposers who intend to use DU cameras at a cost must itemize the requirements in needing these instruments. At present, the DU instruments include:
an SBIG ST-10E 1024x1024 CCD camera with 2 inch BVRI-band filters;
an SBIG ST-7 512x512 CCD camera (with AO-7 tip-tilt correction) with VRI 2 inch filters;
on-loan SSP-4 J and H band single channel photometer,
and afiber-fed, low resolution optical spectrometer (Sivo NuView2) that can feed photographic or CCD detectors (1.25 inch barrel).

At present, guiding is accomplished using either the ST7 auto-guider for upwards of 5 minute frames, or a Collins intensified video system and frame averager, permitting manual guiding on stars as faint as 16th magnitude for up to 30 minutes at a time.

2B. PREVIOUS USERS: please add a brief account of the disposition of data previously obtained, and hopefully published, that utilized Mt.Evans facilities.

3. FULL NAME, AFFILIATION, ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION of the proposer and members of an observing team. Due to the high altitude, members will need to review safety and health information in advance and sign a liability waiver prior to arrival.

4. SEND COMPLETED PROPOSAL to Prof. Robert Stencel, Mt.Evans Observatory, c/o Dept. Physics & Astronomy, University of Denver, 2112 E. Wesley Ave., Denver CO 80208 USA. Fax: 303-871-4405. Email: rstencel@du.edu. Proposals need to be received AT LEAST THREE MONTHS prior to proposed time: e.g. by March for June observing, by May for Aug observing. Routine access by car can be expected between approx June 1 and mid-Sept to mid-Oct, depending on the year. Expeditions outside of these dates can be arranged, but at signficantly greater cost and risk to the proposer.

Because these guidelines cannot be complete, please email questions so that we can begin to compile answers to frequently asked questions. Thank you.

FAQ:

1. What are the best observing "seasons" at Mt.Evans?
Experience during the 1990s has shown the following periods tend to be drier and more cloud free ON AVERAGE -- mid-June thru early July ("dry twelves", followed by a monsoon period thru mid-Aug); mid-Aug thru mid-Sept (followed by a wintry blast in mid-late Sept); early to mid-Oct (then begins the autumn snowy period, usually until mid-Dec). Mid-Dec thru Jan can often be very clear and dry, tho very cold. The spring snow season begins approx. Feb and can run thru approx mid-April, followed by very pleasant clear weeks til early June, when a final round of spring storms appear for 1-2 weeks.
These intervals cannot be guarranteed, and solar cycle and El Nino effects are signficant. However, experience shows that almost every night on Mt.Evans does exhibit some degree of clear weather, especially after midnight.

Some additional helpful information