guest observer

A guest observer (GO) is a researcher using an observatory who is not part of its staff or associated research group, but is using the facilities on invitation. Many observatories have a guest observer program (GO program), inviting such observers to use their telescopes. In some cases, offering such a program is a condition of the observatory's funding from a source with an interest in widespread promotion of research. Access time with telescopes is naturally limited and the guest observer opportunity may be contingent upon the probable value of the research, based upon reputation or a convincing proposal.