End-to-end science operations in the era of Extremely Large Telescopes

Abstract

Observatory end-to-end science operations is the overall process starting with a scientific question, represented by a proposal requesting observing time; ending with the analysis of observation data addressing that question; and including all of the intermediate steps needed to plan, schedule, obtain, and process these observations. Increasingly complex observing facilities demand a highly efficient science operations approach and at the same time must be user friendly to the astronomical user community and enable the highest possible scientific return. Therefore, this process is supported by a collection of tools. We describe the overall end-to-end process and its implementation for the three upcoming Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs): European Southern Observatory’s ELT, the Thirty Meter Telescope, and the Giant Magellan Telescope.