WIRO Observers,

All of us are fortunate to be able to use a large telescope for our 
research.  In return, there are a few policies by which we should all 
abide in order to safely keep WIRO and its facilities running as 
smoothly as possible.

You should maintain your certification as a UW driver by enrolling in 
the Defensive Driving Course.  The certification needs to be renewed 
every three years.  Contact Nicole Wade to register for this free course
(see https://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/fleet/Driving.htm).

You should participate in the WIRO safety courses, as they become 
available/advertised.  One important rule is that you must have a second
observer with you.  Your 'Safety Second' should be able to drive you 
back to Laramie, or at least the cathouse, in case of an emergency.  
Thus, your Safety Second should know how to drive the observatory 
vehicles, including the SnoCats if necessary.  You can also familiarize 
yourself with various safety procedures by reading the WIRO Safety 
Manual, found in a red folder on the bookshelf in the Control Rooom 
(useful phone numbers, use of the radios, winter safety tips, etc.).

You must become an experienced user of the telescope and an instrument 
(e.g., Long-SLit, WIROPrime) *before* your observing run.  You can 
accomplish this prior to your observing run by offering to serve as a 
second observer for another astronomer during their run with the same 
instrument.  Plan on co-piloting in such a role for several nights 
before leading your own run.  Also, Jim Weger or Jerry Bucher will be 
available for on-site assistance during the first night after an 
instrument change.  Please contact me if you are interested in such an 
opportunity.

Please use an observatory vehicle once per run, round trip, between Jelm
and Laramie.  Two round trips may be justified for observing runs 
extending several days.  The observatory budget is quite small, and we 
spend a large portion of it on transportation costs.  Over $8000 was 
spent on maintaining and fueling the Tahoe and the Avalanche last year 
alone!  If you want to make additional trips between the cathouse and 
Laramie during your run, either use a private vehicle or pay for the 
fuel and wear+tear with grant $$ or your own money.

As a courtesy to your colleagues, fill up the gas tank at the UW Fleet 
pumps upon your return to Laramie.  You can get a fueling pin/code from 
Nicole Wade.  You should also call the observer leading the run prior to
yours to arrange Tahoe logistics.

Please use a calling card when making long distance calls with the 
observatory telephones.

Finally, filling out the Nightly Observatory Report is mandatory (see 
http://physics.uwyo.edu/~chip/Local/Observatory/Report/), regardless of 
whether you actually observed or not.  This process is crucial to 
informing WIRO staff and future observers in a timely way about any 
technical needs and/or changes.  Feel free to include anything that 
could make the observing experience go more smoothly (e.g., "Telescope 
doesn't track well," "The Tahoe 'Check Engine Light' came on," "There's 
a dead mouse on Claudius' keyboard," etc.).  In fact, all observers 
should prepare themselves before observing by reviewing recent reports 
posted online (see the same URL above for past Reports).

Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Thanks,
Chip Kobulnicky
WIRO Director