Applying & Observing

Proposal information

• See the telescopes, instruments and schedules page and the SMARTS current operating plan for useful information on availability of telescopes and instruments.
• If you are from NOAO, see Observing though NOAO.  
• If your institution is a Primary Member of SMARTS, please check with your institution regarding proposal submission procedures. 
• If you are a Secondary Member, please send your proposals to your sponsoring institution.
• If you are not a member yet, but are interested in using SMARTS, please see our information on joining SMARTS.

Procedures for observers with approved programs

• 0.9m observers should follow the instructions on this webpage.
  • See also the 0.9m website.
• 1.3m observers should submit a detailed Phase II observing plan. More info is below:
  •   Phase II Submission Instructions
  •   Observation Template (Obs File) Creation Form Instructions
  •   Multi-Observation Script Creation Form Instructions
  •   Phase II Observing Program Submission Form Instructions
  •   Obs File Manager Form Instructions
  •   Archive of Old Observing Files
  •   1.3m webpage
• 1.5m observers should contact those listed on the contact page for their respective instruments.
  • 1.5m service observing schedule and information website
  • If you are awarded time on CHIRON, please log in to these pages to set up your program.

Other useful information for observing

• CTIO observing preparation pages
• CTIO Visiting Astronomers'  Travel Guide
• Sky conditions
• NOAO data tools and science archive