Dear Carnegie Observatories and LCO communities, The next decade will bring exciting advances in astronomy. A new generation of telescopes on space and the ground, including the GMT, and advances in theoretical research, instrumentation on existing telescopes, and the availability of new and unprecedented datasets promise a bright future for astronomical research. In this context,…
Dear LCO community, We are happy to announce that we will return to operating both Magellan telescopes starting on March 1, 2022. All observations will continue to be taken remotely until further notice. Thank you as always for your patience and understanding. Best, John Mulchaey, Polo Infante and David Osip
Dear LCO Community, Due to the continued high number of Covid-19 infections and staffing shortages, we are extending the closure of the Clay telescope through February 28, 2022. The number of cases appears to be leveling off in Chile and we are hopeful we can return to operating both Magellan telescopes on March 1, 2022. …
V.01 11/02/2022 In advance: Prepare a visit plan with defined LCO personnel roles and dates as well as work locations and equipment requirements. Site Staff review of plan to coordinate local staffing requirements and backups where possible. Full vaccination confirmed for all visitors. Obtain Mobility Pass for all visitors. Submit all travel plans including the…
Dear LCO community, Due to additional Covid cases and a shortage of staff, we will be extending the closure of the Clay telescope through February 22, 2022. We will provide another update next week. Thank you for your continued understanding. Best, John Mulchaey, Polo Infante and David Osip
Dear LCO community, Unfortunately, Chile is now experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant including several positive cases among the LCO staff. For this reason, we are reducing the number of crew members on the mountain and returning to operating a single Magellan telescope. The Clay telescope will be closed starting…
Dear LCO community, While the number of COVID-19 cases in Chile continues to drop, travel restrictions for non-Chilean residents remain in place. For this reason, we are cancelling the M2FS and MagAOX PI instrument runs scheduled in the 2021B semester. In addition, all Magellan observations will be taken only in remote mode for the…
Due to ongoing infrastructure renovations, the duPont telescope will remain without nighttime operations through at least the end of September 2021. Activities include a complete renovation of the former Coude room to a new two story lab and instrument storage facility, relocation of the control room to the former library on the first floor, installations…
Dear LCO Community, We are happy to report that the Covid-19 situation in Chile has improved significantly and we will return to night time operations with both Magellan telescopes on July 27, 2021. All observing will remain in remote-mode for the foreseeable future. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Best, John Mulchaey, Polo…
Dear LCO observers, While the overall rate of new Covid-19 infections in Chile continues to drop, the case numbers in the Coquimbo and Vallenar areas are at their highest level to date. For this reason, we will continue to operate a single Magellan telescope (Baade) through at least July 5, 2021. We will provide…