Implementing Remote Observing at the JCMT

TL;DR

The paper discusses the transition of the JCMT to fully remote operations, highlighting its implementation, process, and positive impact on efficiency and fault rates in sub-millimeter astronomy.

Contribution

It documents the process and outcomes of implementing full remote observing at JCMT, a significant advancement in operational efficiency for large telescopes.

Findings

Increased productive hours post-remote implementation

Maintained low fault rates after switching to remote operations

Successful transition supporting ongoing scientific discovery

Abstract

The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) is the largest single dish telescope in the world focused on sub-millimeter astronomy - and it remains at the forefront of sub-millimeter discovery space. JCMT continues itspush for higher efficiency and greater science impact with a switch to fully remote operation. This switch toremote operations occurred on November 1st 2019. The switch to remote operations should be recognized to bepart of a decade long process involving incremental changes leading to Extended Observing - observing beyondthe classical night shift - and eventually to full remote operations. The success of Remote Observing is indicatedin the number of productive hours and continued low fault rate from before and after the switch.