CFHT Observations

Proposals for CFHT Open for Semester 2009A

The 3.6 meter optical/infrared Canadian-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) is now open for proposals from all Taiwan-based researchers for semester 2008B. The deadline for proposal submission is:

21 September 2008 - 8:00 am Taiwan time

We anticipate that a minimum of 5 nights, and possibly up to 10 nights, will be available in semester 2008B, depending on demand and quality of proposals. Please note that the instruments available for 2008B are MegaCam, WIRCam, ESPaDOnS, GriF, and PUEO. Detailed information on the telescope, available instrumentation, proposal format, and how to submit proposals is available from the CFHT web page:

http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/ObsInfo/ObservingProposals/

Exploratory Programs

To encourage innovative science, this semester we will continue considering "exploratory" programs using MegaCam, WIRCam, or ESPaDOnS that require no more than 1 hour of observing time. Such proposals will not be refereed, but will be scrutinized by the TAC and allocated time based on scientific merit and feasibility. When submitting such proposals, please state at the beginning of the scientific justification that "This is an EXPLORATORY proposal".

Queued Service Observations Snapshot Programs

In addition, we would like to bring to your attention the Queued Service Observation (QSO) snapshot program. These are programs that can be executed with either MegaCam or WIRCam in relatively poor seeing conditions when the seeing is >1.2". Projects executed under the QSO snapshot program are not charged to the available observing time for Taiwan. Proposals to the QSO snapshot program will not be refereed, but will be scrutinized by the TAC for scientific value and feasibility. More information on this program can be found at:

http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/Instruments/Queue/qso_2007b_MP.html

Resubmission due to Lost Time

If your scheduled project from previous semesters was not completed for any reason (including bad weather), you will need to resubmit your proposal explaining why you need more time. Your proposal will be stronger if the available data has been analyzed, and you use this data to demonstrate that the stated science goals can be achieved with allocation of the full requested time.

Time Allocation Process

All new proposals, and where deemed necessary resubmitted proposals, are refereed by researchers selected by the Taiwan-CFHT TAC based on their demonstrated expertise in the relevant research fields. Apart from the referees comments, who are asked to evaluate primarily the scientific strength of the proposal, the Taiwan-CFHT TAC also takes into account technical feasibility. For those who have previously been scheduled observing time on the CFHT, the Taiwan-CFHT TAC will also take into account the status of previously executed projects and publications.

Status of Previous Proposals

Please fill in or update the status of all your previous projects on the web page
https://www.asiaa.sinica.edu.tw/Internal/WIRcamData/ListStatus.php [Authentication required]
(University users will be contacted on how to access this web page.)
You can and should provide more details on the progress of previous (especially related) projects in the relevant section of your proposal. If no information is forthcoming, the TAC will assume that no progress has been made and will take this into consideration in allocation of observing time.

Contact Persons

If you have any questions or problems regarding the preparation of the proposals, please contact
Paul Hsieh (bchsiehasiaa.sinica.edu.tw),
Shiang-Yu Wang (sywangasiaa.sinica.edu.tw), or
Jeremy Lim (sywangasiaa.sinica.edu.tw)