1. Observing Preparation & Software Tools Simon O’Toole

2. Step 1: Apply for time You’ve heard about writing telescope proposals & the TAC process from Sarah This is the first – and key – step in preparing for your observations

3. Step 1: Apply for time AAT: http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/applying.html http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/applying.html Magellan (deadline Monday 7 April): http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/magellan.html http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/magellan.html Gemini: Use the Phase I Tool

4. Step 1: Apply for time Know your instrument – Contact instrument scientists – Read documentation & manuals – Use S/N calculators (where available)

5. Step 1: Apply for time Know your targets – For Gemini: Are there good guide stars? What observing mode best suits your needs? – For AAT, Magellan: Have good backup targets/science for poor conditions

6. What next? Every telescope is different

7. Step 2: Detailed preparation Speak to your support astronomer! – AAT: assigned support astronomers http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/instrument_scientists.h tml http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/instrument_scientists.h tml – Gemini: AusGO support, Gemini contact scientists http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/contact.html http://ausgo.aao.gov.au/contact.html – Magellan: AusGO staff, Instrument scientists – Previous users!

8. Step 2: Detailed preparation There are plenty of software tools to complement this support Gemini & AAT in particular, but Magellan also has some S/N calculators

9. The AAT AAT – ITCs http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/SNcalcs.htmlhttp://www.aao.gov.au/astro/SNcalcs.html – AAOmega – esp. configure for 2dFhttp://www.aao.gov.au/2df/aaomega/aaomeg a_software.html–http://www.aao.gov.au/2df/aaomega/aaomeg a_software.html

10. Gemini Gemini Phase I Tool (PIT) ITCs for each instrument Observing Tool (OT) GMMPS for mask-making http://files.gemini.edu/~software/gmmps/gm mps-0.402-REL.tar.gz http://files.gemini.edu/~software/gmmps/gm mps-0.402-REL.tar.gz

11. Gemini PIT http://www.gemini.edu/node/10991?q=node/11088 http://www.gemini.edu/node/10991?q=node/11088

12. Gemini Phase I Tool

13. Integration Time Calculators AAT: http://www.aao.gov.au/astro/SNcalcs.htmlhttp://www.aao.gov.au/astro/SNcalcs.html Gemini: http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/?q=s ciops/instruments http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/?q=s ciops/instruments Magellan: http://instrumentation.obs.carnegiescience.edu/ FourStar/calc.html (for example) http://instrumentation.obs.carnegiescience.edu/ FourStar/calc.html

14. Gemini Observing Tool http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-gemini/phase-ii-and-s/w-tools?q=node/11172 http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-gemini/phase-ii-and-s/w-tools?q=node/11172

15. Gemini Observing Tool

17. Important: Speak to your support astronomer!

18. Thank you