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APPENDIX B
MERLIN Observations in Semesters 99A to 00B
Categories for Approved Time
The MERLIN Time Allocation Group (TAG) awards time in the following categories:
A and TO: Highest Priority - Observations are not guaranteed, but in the past all of the observations in this category have usually been completed. TO time is for Target of Opportunity observations. Should these not arise they are covered by additional B priority time.
B: Lower Priority - No commitment is given to complete observations in this category, though a significant number are usually observed. For certain projects, this may include observations with a subset of the MERLIN array.
C: Fill-in - Short observations of a few hours duration for projects in this category may be used to fill scheduling gaps in the A and B programme.
A time is allocated for 80% of the contracted time within a semester when all MERLIN antennas are available and after provision has been made for National Facility EVN commitments and any agreed outstanding engineering programmes.
Observing Success Rate - Semesters 99A to 00B| Runs Observed Runs Approved |
A-time | B-time | C-time | TO-time |
| L-band | 162/176 (92%) | 47/60 (78%) | 15 | 20 |
| C-band | 44/44 (100%) | 43/45 (96%) | 14 | 19 |
| K-band | 30/36 (83%) | - | - | - |