The ING Instrumentation Conference Discussion, Options for a Competitive Observatory

Abstract

An expert panel initiated discussion on a number of key questions facing the role of 4-m and small telescopes in the new era of 8-m telescopes. The panel and audience agreed that the 4-m class telescope role would necessarily evolve, but would still be important in the coming years. The need for an active development programme of competitive instrumentation for 4-m class telescopes, and in particular the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) was stressed. In conjunction with this, the need to de-commission instrumentation made redundant by 8-m class telescopes was noted. New operational modes, including greater emphasis on survey programmes, and possibly queue scheduling, coupled with changes to the procedures for allocating time were seen as desirable. The panel and audience supported the Isaac Newton Group's emphasis on the development of instrumentation to exploit its imminent deployment of the WHT's facility Adaptive Optics system.