The VLT dealing with the Atmosphere, a Night Operation point of view

TL;DR

This paper discusses how the VLT's operational team manages atmospheric conditions in real-time to optimize astronomical data quality during night observations, supported by environmental monitoring tools.

Contribution

It introduces the tools and systems used by VLT staff to monitor and respond to atmospheric parameters during observations.

Findings

Effective real-time atmospheric monitoring improves data quality.

Tools assist staff in decision-making based on environmental conditions.

Operational procedures adapt to atmospheric variability.

Abstract

The Science Operation Department is composed of Astronomers, Telescope Instruments Operators (TIO) and Data Handling Administrators (DHAs). Their main goal is to produce top-quality astronomical data by operating a suite of 9 telescopes, 14 Instruments and related systems, supporting the execution of Visitor Mode Observations or executing Service Mode Observations. Astronomers and TIOs have to deal with atmospheric parameters like seeing, coherence time, isoplanatic angle, precipitable water vapor, etc. in order to take in real time the best decisions on the best program to be executed according to the current conditions. We describe the tools available in the control room, provided by the environmental monitoring and forecast system.