Suprime-Cam Filter Operation Policy

Definition of terms:
"General filters" denotes filters available for general use.
"User filters" denotes filters owned by users which are not open to the general use.

  1. The filter stacker in the filter exchanging system of Suprime-Cam can hold up to 10 filters. If the total number of filters required by programs in an observation run exceeds 10, it is impossible to accommodate all the filters requested by observers.
    Thus, we recommend all the observers who would like to use filters which are not listed in the original proposal to contact Subaru Telescope prior to their observation.
  2. At the beginning of the semester, Subaru Telescope allocates observing nights for accepted programs so that the total number of filters in an observation run should not exceed 10. However, the number of filters requested in a certain run may exceed 10 mainly due to schedule changes during the semester.
  3. If it turns out that the total number of filters in a certain run will exceed 10, Subaru Telescope will try to decrease the number of filters by means of consultation with observers.
  4. In case that the number of filters still remains above 10 even after the efforts above (headings 2 & 3) , Subaru Telescope will determine the 10 filters which should be installed in the stacker based on the following order of priority.
    Filter categorized in an upper category has a higher priority.
    1. For Open Use or UH Time, General filters which are explicitly listed in the original proposal.
    2. For Open Use or UH Time, User filters which are explicitly listed in the original proposal.
    3. For Open Use or UH Time, General filters which are not listed in the original proposal, but are requested at least 60 days (*1) before the starting date of the observation run in which the filter is supposed to be used.
    4. For any other programs other than Open Use or UH Time, User filters which are not listed in the original proposal, but are requested at least 60 days (*1) before the starting date of the observation run in which the filter is supposed to be used.
    5. Any other filters that do not fit into categories A through D above will be accepted on a first-come basis.

    (*1) Subaru Telescope determines the appropriate due date for programs allocated in the first month of the semester.

  5. Observers need to submit requests for any change of filters used in their observation from the original proposal to both the Director of Subaru Telescope and Support Astronomer of Suprime-Cam. In case of submission by e-mail, it is recommended to send the request to the following 4 addresses.
    (arimoto(NOSPAM)naoj.org, imanishi(NOSPAM)naoj.org, pyo(NOSPAM)naoj.org, terai(NOSPAM)naoj.org : (NOSPAM) --> @)
  6. If two or more filters requested have the same priority defined in the heading 4 above and the number of filters in a certain run still remains above 10, Subaru Telescope will try to decrease the number of filters again by means of consultation with observers. If the number of filters still remains above 10 even after the mediation, the Director of Subaru Telescope will determine the 10 filters which will be used in the run.
  7. Support Astronomer determines the filters used in Service Programs by taking account of the priority of the programs. If the number of filters exceeds 10 after determining the filters for Service programs, the Director of Subaru Telescope will determine the 10 filters which will be used in the run.
  8. If Subaru Telescope expects extreme difficulty in preparation of the observation with a particular filter which are requested by an observer, the request of the filter can not be accepted even if the request is submitted before the due date defined in the heading 4.
  9. When the Director of Subaru Telescope issues any temporary special rules, the rules override the above policy.


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