As of December 2009, the Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic (OMM) offers a new way for researchers to obtain their observation data: “the queue-mode observing”. This mode is very different from the classical way of obtaining astronomical data at the observatory. In the classical mode, the researcher reserves the telescope for several nights and performs the observations on site. In the case of queue-mode observing, the main goal is to favour small projects that cannot justify a full observing mission spread over several nights.

The queue mode gathers the scientific targets of several research programs using the same instrument with the telescope. The targets are sorted as a function of multiple factors including the required instrument configuration, the target position in the sky, the climatic conditions, etc. The observations for the queue-mode targets are performed by a single astronomer.

The installation of queue-mode observing permits to increase the telescope efficiency for short-term research programs. It also insures a greater homogeneity of the data obtained at the OMM and reduces the number of trips to the observatory.

The OMM now becomes more accessible to researchers in other Canadian universities. They can submit observing proposal that, if accept, will allow them to receive high-quality data without travelling to the observatory.

In the next four month (December 2009 to March 2010), only one instrument will be offered for queue-mode observing: the CPAPIR imager in the infrared band the of electromagnetic spectrum. After this trial period, other instruments will become available for the new observing mode.

The OMM remains accessible for classical observing mission and in both modes, classical and queue, priority will be given to student thesis projects.