The following are Policies Governing Granting of Observing time at McDonald Observatory.

• Proposal Process and Due Dates
• Proposal Formats / Other Important Information
• Proposal Forms
• Publication Credits
• Instrument Support Policy
• Vacant Time
• Instrumentation Familiarization (Training): Texas and non-Texas Observers
• Access to McDonald Observatory by non-UT Austin researchers
• Preparation by non-UT Austin observers is essential
• Telescope Allocation Committee
• Proposal Evaluation Criteria for McDonald Telescope Time
• Hints for Writing Successful Observing Proposals
• Request for Service (RFSs) and Request for Travel (RTAs)
• Observer Contract

14 Sept 2023 Update:   Covid rules have been eased and observers are welcome to travel to the site to observe and to stay at the Astronomers Lodge. Only UT observers may observe remotely (as resources to support remote runs allow) but non-UT observers must observe from the domes.  The following instruments are available:

• 2.7m: Instruments available: TS21, TS23, GCMS, VW, DIAFI (IGRINS not yet back)
• 2.1m: ProEM and SQUEAN only (SES not available because of an issue with cryogens)
• 0.8m: Fully operational