Support Astronomer On-Call Schedule

If you are experiencing problems, have operations questions, or are requesting permission to open during remote observing, please try to contact the Telescope Technician (TT) first at
  • (831) 459-5952 (120" Readout Room)
  • (831) 459-5907 (electronics lab)

If you have a technical question, need a refresher course on an instrument/telescope, or you can't reach a TT, contact the support astronomer on duty.

Support astronomers (SA) are generally available from early afternoon until sunrise. Due to short staffing, TTs and SAs may not always be available. Please try all the numbers listed for the SA on duty and ALWAYS leave messages at each number you call. If you can't reach the on-duty SA, please try again in a few minutes. If that fails, try contacting an off-duty SA. If you can't reach an SA by phone, send an email to all of them and that will likely get a response from whomever is available.

The calendar is marked with the first initial of the SA who is on duty. If there is more than one, then several SAs are required that date. If there is a number beside the initial, that person is only on for that portion of the night (typically split at midnight). SVP and MOS are public nights at the 36" telescope.

Contact Information:

All Support Astronomers email: sa@ucolick.org

All Technical Staff (on and off mountain):mhtechs@ucolick.org

Elinor Gates (egates@ucolick.org)
(831) 459-5910 (office)
(408) 202-1691 (work cell)

Bryant Grigsby (bgrigsby@ucolick.org)
(831) 459-5931 (office)
(408) 398-7526 (work Cell)

Paul Lynam (plynam@ucolick.org)
(831) 459-5908 (office)
(831) 459-5932 (alternate office)

Telescopes:
1-meter Nickel(831) 459-5940
3-meter Shane(831) 459-5952
(831) 459-5951
CAT(831) 459-5953
36" Refractor(831) 459-5936
APF/Astrograph (831) 459-5959
Crossley (831) 459-5957

Other Numbers
Dome Mechanic - Bob Owen (owen@ucolick.org) (and for morning dewar fills)
(831) 459-5925
Telescope/Dome Supervisor - Kostas Chloros (kostas@ucolick.org)
(831) 459-5954