Oversight
How the Liverpool Telescope is monitored and advised
Although the Liverpool Telescope (LT) is owned by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), its operation and performance are monitored and advised by a number of internal and external bodies. LT users past and present are encouraged to send us feedback on their LT experience at any time via our contact page.
LT Time and Allocation Advisory Group
During the twice-yearly time-allocation meetings, the LT-TAAG also considers programmatic issues pertaining to the current use and future direction of the LT. It evaluates and comments upon the day-to-day operations of the telescope, the performance of its instruments, and the productivity of the observatory as a whole.
LT-TAAG Membership
| Name | Institution |
|---|---|
| Stephen Hamer | University of Bath (chair) |
| Steven Parsons | University of Sheffield |
| Joseph Lyman | University of Warwick |
| Megan Schwamb | Queen's University Belfast |
| Michael Healy | Liverpool John Moores University |
Telescope users interested in serving on this panel in the future are encouraged to contact the astronomer-in-charge at any time to informally discuss the role.
LT Internal User Meeting
Members of staff at the LJMU Astrophysics Research Institute can also communicate their views on the performance of the LT via an internal User Meeting. This meeting occurs twice a year, usually just before the proposal deadline, and is currently chaired by Prof. Matt Darnley.
Allocation of Telescope Time
For instructions on how to apply, please see the Proposal Instructions pages. Telescope time is allocated by a number of Time Allocation Groups (TAGs):
U.K. time
We receive operations funding from STFC and in return offer telescope time to UK applicants through the Panel for Allocation of Telescope Time (PATT) process. This is performed by the LT Time and Allocation Advisory Group described above.
Internal LJMU time
Time is available to members of LJMU's Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) through a separate allocation. Proposals are evaluated alongside PATT proposals by the LT-TAAG, though time is formally allocated by the ARI Management Board. The current LJMU representative on the LT-TAAG is Dr Michael Healy.
Spanish time
This is allocated by the Comisión de Asignación de Tiempos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias — the IAC CAT. The CAT TAG members are listed on the CAT website.
International time
This is available to non-UK and non-Spanish PIs through both the OPTICON RadioNet Trans-National Access programme and the International Scientific Committee (CCI). For further details and guidance on how and where to apply, please see the Proposal Instructions.