WELCOME to the 2009 AURA Observatory Users Meeting

Transcription

1 WELCOME to the 2009 AURA Observatory Users Meeting

2 Users Meeting Agenda Morning Introduction to People & Programs AURA Observatory in Chile & AOSS Lunch Afternoon AURA-O Rates AURA-O Infrastructure Changes underway Changes planned Coordination issues (Lasers) Discussion of needs and requests

3 AURA-O AURA established legal presence in Chile in early 1960s, to begin construction of CTIO AURA operates in Chile as an International Organization, with certain special privileges and responsibilities All activities under AURA umbrella in Chile are part of AURA Observatory Chile, or AURA-O Manages all interactions with Chilean govt & official bodies Manages all contractual activities (is the only legal entity) AURA Head of Mission is responsible for oversight of all AURA activities in Chile

4 Changes in AOSS Background Senior Review recommended business reviews of all NSF national facilities Reviews of facilities were carried out by independent firm (LMI) AURA (NOAO, Gemini) Review found: AOSS performing well and in a cost-effective manner However, lack of formal basis in any existing NSF cooperative agreement (for oversight) Response In Jan 2009, AURA announced that AOSS would be folded into the NOAO cooperative agreement (which begins Oct 1, 2009) AOSS operational and administrative activities and responsibilities would be merged into the NOAO-South structure

5 Integration into NOAO-South Two phase Transition plan Phase 1: Acquisition Bring current operational and administrative structure inside NOAO Perform a review of AOSS processes and culture Timescale: thru September 30, 2009 Phase 2: Full Integration Conversion to NOAO administrative systems Definition and implementation of processes, merging existing NOAO-N processes with recommendations from AOSS review; together with thorough analysis and update of NSF compliance Timescale: October 1, 2009 thru September 30, 2010 (FY2010); goal is completion before beginning FY2011

6 Users View FY2009 Closeout No impact: AOSS policies and procedures in force FY2010 Stability first; intended to be cost neutral Gradual changes in invoices and services as we convert to NOAO systems and implement review recommendations FY2011 New structures & systems in place

7 LUNCH And next

8 AURA-O Rates FY2010 Starting point: Inflation lower than expected in FY2009 Low inflation projected in FY2010 Combine with desire to be cost neutral ALSO: provide stability for budget planning purposes Result: Most rates frozen for FY2010 Exceptions La Serena water: correct error in FY2009 rate calculation La Serena Motel & Cerro Tololo Dorms: provide funds for ongoing (much needed) maintenance program

9 AURA-O Rates FY2010

10 AURA-O Infrastructure: Recent & Current activities Moderate projects: Pachón Dormitory Power Enhancement (new transformer & power line) ~$50K from CTIO, Gemini, & SOAR) Additional 1550m of Guardrails $75K from NSF, matched by $75K from CTIO, Gemini, & SOAR LARGE project: Phase 2 of Pachón Dorm: 5 more rooms! AURA funded; ~$355,000 investment Construction started Aug 15, 2009; to run through Feb/Mar 2010 Major impact: all Pachón dorms closed; all staff housed on Cerro Tololo for construction period

11 Pachón Dorm Construction

12 Planned Infrastructure Improvements American Recovery & Renewal Act NOAO receives ARRA ( stimulus ) funding Due to NOAO s new responsibility for stewardship of the AURA-O facilities & infrastructure in Chile, a significant fraction of NOAO s ARRA funding will be spent on AURA-O infrastructure Infrastructure Investment Breakdown Tololo infrastructure: $567K Pachón infrastructure: $508K Shared mountain infrastructure: $550K La Serena infrastructure: $140K

13 ARRA Infrastructure Plans (I) Tololo Infrastructure Dorm, Dining, & Houses repair: $480K Meeting room renovation: $20K UPS System upgrade: $67K (upper platform only) Pachón Infrastructure Dorm Emergency Generator: $58K Kitchen & Dining facility extension: $450K Shared Mountain Facilities Water system renovation: $450K Guardrail extension: $100K

14 Pachón Dorm future Phase I Phase II Phase III

15 ARRA Infrastructure Plans (II) La Serena Facilities Water system renovation: $100K Compound fencing & security: $40K Additional facilities with possible general benefits New anodization extension to machine shop: $46K New CNC machine: $80K Improved fiber network testing equipment: $25K

16 ARRA Infrastructure Plans (III) Wide range of projects, from small to large Largest impact: Pachón Kitchen+Dining facility construction Tololo Dorm/Dining facility renovation Planning for implementation just beginning Will coordinate as we develop draft plans Will attempt to minimize impact on ongoing operations Large projects will be staggered over ~3 year period Implementation will start in Oct/Nov 2009 Initial focus on small projects which are dominated by single purchases (e.g., Pachón Dorm Emergency Generator)

17 Break

18 AURA-O (I) In 2010 (either FY or CY) we are likely to see THREE laser systems begin operations 1) ALO 2) Gemini MCAO 3) SOAR SAM* Operation of these systems requires both external and internal AURA-O interfaces

19 AURA-O (II) External interfaces Chilean Government & related Lasers are considered hazardous to aircraft We must shutter beams when aircraft are nearby Solutions Typical systems use spotters ; Chilean authorities didn t like this AURA recently signed Umbrella agreement allowing access to air traffic control radar AURA now entering detailed negotiations with air traffic agency and private firm for implementation End point: air traffic control input into site-wide system for laser shuttering (next slide) International issue Satellite avoidance; coordination with U.S. Space Command

20 AURA-O (II) Internal interfaces AURA-O site needs coordinated LTCS Laser Traffic Control System To be modeled after Mauna Kea system Fundamental principles: Laser beacons must not interfere with observations performed by other AURA-O telescopes Non-laser projecting telescopes have right of way in pointing conflicts We are STARTING Drafting policies Discussions with stakeholders

21 Discussion

22 Ongoing Communication Idea: AURA-O User Newsletter 2 to 4 per year Updates on ongoing infrastructure improvements Changes in procedures & policies News on new facilities (new Users ) Contributions from Users! Other ideas?