Present: Johannes Andersen, Jens Viggo Clausen, Jens Hjorth, Uffe Gråe Jørgensen, Hans Kjeldsen, Birgitta Nordström, Kristian Pedersen.
Excuses: Per Kjærgaard Rasmussen, Jens Klougart.
PIs for
large on-going observing programmes at the DK1.5m and technical experts on the
telescope operations were invited to this informal meeting. The idea was to
probe the interests for continuing the operations of the DK1.5m amongst the
current key users after the termination of the contract with ESO, March 2006.
All users
agreed that DK1.5m has been a very valuable telescope due to good Danish access
for long time spans and the relative flexible operation. However, the current
instrumentation is not optimal for several on-going observing programs, and
also a major maintenance overhaul is now required for continuing the operation
of the telescope beyond March 2006.
The science driving the current observing programs will in the future focus on other facilities – either dedicated robotic telescopes, or simply larger and more effective telescopes.
Danish
astrophysicists have access to the Southern hemisphere through ESO telescopes,
and educational projects can be carried out at the NOT so in these respects
DK1.5m is not a unique telescope.
None of the
current key users have a strong scientific interest in continuing the DK1.5m
after March 2006. Furthermore, no obvious funding source for operating the
telescope was identified (IDA funding terminates March 2006).
There might
be some interest in carrying out short programs – provided a flexible
“pay-per-view” agreement with ESO can be worked out, and that operation is
funded by the users themselves.
ESO/Chile
is apparently investigating the possibility for automating DK 1.5m. DK is
interested in being presented to a concrete plan, based on which specific
contributions may be decided. IDA (Jens Hjorth) contacts ESO in order to get
the most recent information and to express the Danish view on this development.
If the
Danish operation of the DK1.5m is terminated March 2006, an event should be
organised high-lighting (1) the many excellent results obtained with the
telescope over the years, and (2) the re-orientation of DK astrophysics from
small national telescopes towards large international facilities, dictated by
the change in science focus areas and technology advancements.
Kristian Pedersen, 20/5-05