Telescope performance metrics

R. Gordon Talbot; Chris R. Benn; Rene G. M. Rutten

doi:10.1117/12.460734

2 January 2002 Telescope performance metrics

R. Gordon Talbot, Chris R. Benn, Rene G. M. Rutten

Proceedings Volume 4844, Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return III; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460734
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

Telescope performance can be characterised by two kinds of metric: those which reflect scientific productivity (e.g. citation impact) and those which monitor technical aspects of performance e.g. shutter open time and instrument throughput, assumed to impinge on eventual scientific productivity. These metrics can be used to guide an observatory’s investment of limited operational resources in such a way as to maximise long-term scientific productivity. We review metrics used at the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope (WHT) on La Palma, and identify key performance indicators.

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R. Gordon Talbot, Chris R. Benn, and Rene G. M. Rutten "Telescope performance metrics", Proc. SPIE 4844, Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return III, (2 January 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460734

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