Presented are some conclusions from the UKIRT reactive scheduling experiment. This shows that, provided adequate back-up time is available, it is possible to manipulate the schedule of a 4m class telescope to increase significantly the likelihood that a few chosen programs can be completed and that such a scheme can double the success rate of those programs. Also, despite the personal inconvenience, observers are willing to be flexible when offered a second chance to take up observing time lost in bad weather.

Date Published: 3 July 1998
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 3349, Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return, (3 July 1998); doi: 10.1117/12.316528

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 3349:
Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return
Peter J. Quinn, Editor(s)