Keck Engineering Time Allocation Committee: ETAC

The Keck ETAC determines the engineering schedule for the telescopes.

Mission:

To provide structure and accountability to the Keck engineering programs and results.
To more quickly identify unneeded engineering nights so that they may be given back to science.
To optimize the use of telescope time.

Charge:

The ETAC will:

Review total engineering requests for the upcoming semester, and propose a total package to the Observatory Director.
Review individual engineering requests during the semester, on a quarterly basis. Schedule, prioritize, and request clarification when necessary.
Follow up on results from scheduled engineering tests.
Provide feedback on engineering results and usage for the SSC and/or CARA Board.
Identify science give-back nights in a timely manner, to allow institutions to solicit programs for their use.
The ETAC may reject proposals based on insufficient information, scheduling conflicts, significant engineering time overruns, and other reasons.

Proposal Process:

One and a half months before quarter: ETAC issues call for engineering proposals
Proposals submitted:
1. Go to the observer login page
2. If you already have an account, log in; if not, create a new account by clicking on the appropriate link.
3. Under "Proposal Cover Sheets" click on the "Submit a New Coversheet" link to enter a new engineering proposal.
4. Ensure you are submitting a proposal for the correct semester. You may need to select "Switch to (Previous Semester)"
5. Select "Engineering" proposal type and fill in the form.
6. Use buttons under "Scheduled Engineering Nights" to see all the available engineering nights.
7. Fill out the form and click "Submit Engineering Cover Sheet" at the bottom.
8. (Optional) Print a copy for your record.
Three weeks before quarter: ETAC publishes engineering schedule
- The ETAC may reject proposals based on insufficient information, scheduling conflicts, significant engineering time overruns, and other reasons.
- PI's of rejected proposals may appeal to the Night Operations Manager

Expectations:

Successful Engineering Teams will:

Alert the ETAC as soon as possible if the team cannot make use of the time
Prepare a detailed engineering plan to share with the OA and SA for the awarded night
Submit a detailed nightlog report, preferably during the night.

Appeals:

If your proposal is denied, you may appeal the decision with the Night Operations Manager.

Approximate Timeline: Quarter Call for Proposals Proposals Due Engineering Schedule Feb - Apr Dec 10 Dec 28 Jan 10 May - Jul Mar 14 Mar 28 Apr 10 Aug - Oct Jun 14 Jun 28 Jul 10 Nov - Jan Sep 14 Sep 28 Oct 10

Background:

A percentage of night observing time is set aside in each semester's schedule for engineering use. The engineering time is used for development projects and testing of the Keck telescope and instrument systems. The time is reserved for tests that require the night sky and/or stellar point sources. Since the demand for Keck time for both science and engineering observations is ever increasing, a process has been developed to help facilitate the planning, executing, analyzing data, and reporting the engineering experiments. The process of reviewing time requests, scheduling, and posting the results is facilitated by the engineering time allocation committee, E-TAC. This is based on the example of how science observing time is parsed out by the TACs of the various institutions.

Members:

Quarter	Call for Proposals	Proposals Due	Engineering Schedule
Feb - Apr	Dec 10	Dec 28	Jan 10
May - Jul	Mar 14	Mar 28	Apr 10
Aug - Oct	Jun 14	Jun 28	Jul 10
Nov - Jan	Sep 14	Sep 28	Oct 10

Chair, Carolyn Jordan:	Night Operations Manager
Jim Lyke:	Observing Support Manager
Vacant:

Legacy Info:

Pre-2013 Web Page