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UK observing guidelines
The UK TAG allocates its share of JCMT observing time on a project-by-project basis, with observers from some identified projects required to be in attendance. As a result of this semi-classical starting point, the rules for observing during UK time in the schedule are slightly different from those applying during Dutch and Canadian time and need a little additional explanation to the general rules described elsewhere.
General principlesThe scheduled (UK) project has priority when the weather is suitable, but other, appropriate projects are observed whenever the weather is unsuitable for the scheduled project, the choice being determined again by weather and TAG priority. To achieve a more realistic match to the weather statistics, the UK TAG usually assigns additional 'flex' time to the formal allocations for highly ranked proposals needing weather grades 1 or 2. These proposals then appear within somewhat expanded time slots in the schedule. During these blocks, proposers who have been allocated time will be permitted to spend on their project all of the time during which the weather coincides with their assigned weather band, up to a maximum time equal to their actual formal allocation. In return for this increased chance of completing/advancing their programmes, scheduled observers will also be expected NOT to pursue their programme when the weather is either better or worse than their assigned band (or if by good luck they get their full allocation of appropriate weather before the block is finished) and instead to implement an appropriate proposal from the appropriate-weather backup/flex queue as directed by the JCMT scheduler (basically the highest ranked proposal on the appropriate queue for which targets within the appropriate RA range are available).
Example of how this is meant to work in practiceSuppose you have been awarded 2 shifts of grade 1-2 weather. Where possible this will be scheduled within a 4 shift block, and if the first 2 nights were dryer than grade 3 weather you would be able to pursue your programme. However, if the weather deteriorated to grade 3 weather on night 3 you would, according to the rules of flexible observing, be expected to implement the highest rated appropriate proposal from the Grade-3 weather queue. If on night 4 the weather deteriorated further to Grade-4 conditions, you would be expected to implement the highest rated appropriate proposal from the Grade-4 queue, etc.
Note for UK applicants allocated 'Scheduled' timeWhere your project has been awarded a formal allocation that requires an observer, it is your responsibility, as PI, to make sure that someone - yourself or one of your collaborators - will be here to cover the allocated shift(s) plus associated flex time. The JAC does not, alas, have sufficient staff to provide service observing except on an emergency basis, but we will be happy to help you find someone. Note that even if, in the flexible observing scheme, your project should be completed before you arrive for your scheduled run, you will still need to provide an observer for those shifts.You are expected to travel to the telescope and staff the whole of your expanded run. In return for this flexible block the ITAC expects disciplined observing, in terms of moving to the backup queues if appropriate. The ITAC, and national TAGs, will not look kindly on observers who continue to pursue their own programmes in inappropriate conditions. Note for UK applicants allocated time with "No Observer Needed"You are encouraged to complete MSBs for your project as soon as possible (before the end of the first month of each semester), to enable your proposal to be implemented whenever a suitable situation should occur. The ITAC's intention is that, in this way, as many programmes as possible should be completed or at least significantly advanced during the semester.
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