Information for Visiting Astronomers on Missions to the IRAM 30-m Telescope


It is mandatory that visiting astronomers read the note on Travel to Pico Veleta and the Safety Rules and follow the recommendations.

I. Travel conditions

 

  • In general, the Visiting Astronomers will make the flight arrangements themselves for the travel between their home institute and Granada. The conditions for reimbursement of travel expenses are given in Section II. For details on connections to Granada see the Information on Travel to IRAM Granada. Any delays of the scheduled flights are to be reported as soon as possible to IRAM Granada or the telescope operator(telephone and fax numbers below).
  • After notification the Visiting astronomer sends the "Confirmation of Observing Time" form by fax to IRAM Grenoble and IRAM Granada. At least one week before arrival in Granada he sends the "Confirmation of Travel Dates" form by fax to IRAM Granada.
  • Visiting Astronomers will usually be accomodated in the IRAM Granada Residencia (in the same building as the IRAM Granada offices). The key for the Residencia can be obtained at the IRAM office from Mo - Fr, 9:00-15:00. Visiting Astronomers arriving outside office hours will get the keys for the residencia from the guard of the garage next to the cafeteria Triunfo Jardin upon presentation of an identification.
  • The transport between the IRAM Granada office and the 30m telescope is arranged by IRAM Granada according to the regular transport schedule (see Information on travel to IRAM Granada) and the information provided by the Visiting Astronomer. We advise Visiting Astronomers not to plan their trips too tightly.
  • Visiting Astronomers arranging their own transport to and from the telescope outside the IRAM transport schedule do this at their own risk. In any case IRAM Granada has to be consulted in advance and any objection has to be respected. IRAM takes no responsibility for this type of transport. A special permit by the Sierra Nevada Natural Park is required. Visiting Astronomers are not permitted to organize their own transport in winter due to the special conditions of a high mountain site (danger from fog, wind, ice, snow-slips etc.).
  • IRAM cannot be held responsible for any consequences of any kind in case the Visiting Astronomer does not comply with the instructions and rules outlined in this document.
  • Important note: IRAM has no insurance (illness or accident) for Visiting Astronomers going to or staying at the telescope or the Granada Residencia. You should be insured by your home institute or by yourself. In many cases it is necessary to fill out a mission form of your home institute to be insured, even if you come with an IRAM mission. If you are in a European Social Security scheme, do not forget to bring the necessary forms. Since Spanish Social Security offers only a very basic service, visitors might consider a travel insurance.

II. Conditions for Reimbursement of Travel/Accommodation Costs

IRAM reimburses travel and accomodation costs for scientists belonging to CNRS, MPG and IGN or to French, German and Spanish institutes associated with these organizations, when they travel from their institutes to Granada for scheduled observations at the 30m telescope. The number of persons reimbursed per project (normally one or two) depends on the duration of the project and is decided by IRAM. The contact person for these matters is Cathy Berjaud in Grenoble (Tel. +33-- 476 82 4937, Fax +33--476 51 5938, berjaud@iram.fr).

Reimbursement is made on the following basis:

  • Air ticket reimbursement is made on the basis of the cheapest train or air fare. This is also the case if travelling by one's own car. Sometimes cheap air fares require to stay overnight from Saturday to Sunday, and to freeze travel dates. Thank you to inform IRAM before your run if you intend to use this means of transport (contact person Cathy Berjaud).
  • Bus or train from cities to airports (please keep receipts). Taxis are reimbursed only if a bus or train service is not available at the time of the flights, and upon presentation of the receipts.
  • Free accomodation and meals at the telescope.
  • Free lodging at the IRAM Residencia in Granada for the nights of arrival and before departure. Reimbursement of meals for corresponding periods (standard IRAM rates).
  • Free lodging at the Residencia and reimbursement of meals for the extra days required to benefit from a reduced air fare.
  • In case the IRAM Residencia is full, visitors will be booked in a hotel. Usually the hotel is payed directly by IRAM. IRAM will charge all private and professional phone calls.

Please send the reimbursement form ("Demande de mission''), tickets and all receipts to IRAM Grenoble (Cathy Berjaud) after completion of your observing run.

Visitors who are not financially supported by IRAM will be charged for room and board as follows

  • Room in the IRAM Residencia: 33.00 Euro per night
  • Room and board at the telescope: 66.50 Euro per day (drinks included)
  • Individual prices at the telescope: breakfast: 2.70 Euro, lunch: 14.50 Euro, dinner:15.40 Eur, room: 33.00 Euro
  • Regular IRAM transport between Granada and the telescope: no charge.

Please settle your bill with the IRAM Granada administration before departure. Accepted forms of payment are cash (Euro) and travellers cheques (no credit cards).

 

III. Safety Rules for Visiting Astronomers at the 30m telescope

 

  1. To offer you a safe travel and stay at the observatory there is a safety responsible and the operators with rules on how to proceed. You have to follow their instructions. If you have any questions or suggestions your comments are very welcome.
  2. There is a floor plan of the observatory in the short corridor between the garage and the living quarters. In this map you can see how the different observatory areas are organised. It is also indicated the different evacuation ways for the case of an emergency. Please dedicate some time to familiarize yourself with this map.
  3. The operator on duty has the primary responsibility for the safety of the persons at the site and for the telescope installations. Under all conditions and in any case the operator on duty decides when observations are possible, when to move and when to stow the telescope.
  4. In case of a fire emergency or other general emergency the safety responsible and/or the operator will decide how to proceed. Their instructions must be followed.
  5. In case of bad weather conditions, mainly due to fog or wind, the operator on duty has rules to decide if the transport between Granada and the observatory in any direction is possible or not. The decision to postpone the transport is not subject to discussion.
  6. Visitors access and staying is confined into the living building (three floors with the control room, offices, library, dormitories, dining room etc.). Access to the interior of the telescope tower (cable spiral, servos room, receiver cabin etc.) is possible, but the operator on duty must be informed and his authorisation is necessary. The operator must be informed again after the visit to the telescope tower is finished.
  7. Smoking is not permitted in the IRAM buildings.
  8. Do not drink the tap water at the observatory (no risk in Granada). There is bottled water available in the kitchen.
  9. Any excursion in the surroundings of the observatory is at the visitor's own risk. If you leave the observatory, it is mandatory to tell the operator where you go and for how long you will be away. You must follow his decision whether or not it is safe to teave the observatory and follow his recommendations. Take a portable radio with you. Remember that you are at a high mountain site, where weather conditions can change quickly. Especially in winter, leaving the observatory can be very dangerous.
  10. If you walk close to the observatory in winter consider that very often there is very slippery ice on the ground. Wear a protective helmet. After a bad weather period pieces of ice falling from the telescope are a frequent danger.
  11. If you feel bad, sick or have some medical conditions don't hesitate to inform the safety responsible or the operator. They could get you in contact with a doctor at any time. There is medication and first aid equipment at the observatory and the staff is instructed on its use. There are also medical instructions in several languages.

 

IV. Addresses

 

IRAM Granada: Avda. Divina Pastora 7 -- Local 20, E-18012 Granada, Spain
Tel. +34-958 805454, Fax +34-958 222363, e-mail: lastname@iram.es

30m Telescope: Loma de Dilar, Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain (no mail should be sent to this address)
Tel. +34-958 482002, Fax \ +34-958 481148

IRAM Grenoble: 300 rue de la Piscine, Domaine Universitaire, F-38406 St Martin d'Heres, France
Tel. \ +33-476 82 49 00, Fax +33-476515938, e-mail: lastname@iram.fr

 

by R. Mauersberger, 3.10.2003, modified: 11.6.2007