Claire Moutou - Resident Astronomer at CFHT

1- Present yourself : who you are + describe your job

I am Claire Moutou, resident astronomer at CFHT (Maunakea) since mid 2013. Two third of my job is related to science operations of the observatory and instrumental duties. One third for reasearch. My duties are made of: observatory and science preparations for the incoming instrument SPIRou (I'm the observatory scientist so in charge of the  performance evaluations on site); queue observing (less than 25 night per semester, and mostly daytime duties); plus miscallenous science-operation development and follow-up activities.

On the science side, I'm contributing to several observational projects in the exoplanet field -also implying SPIRou.

2- Can you explain your study + professional paths?

 I went to college close to Paris at the public university in fundamental physics and astrophysics. Continued with a PhD in a space observatory near Paris (IAS) on interstellar medium chemistry. Then I changed research subject, spent one year at Observatoire de Haute Provence working on high-contrast imaging instrumentation; followed by 3 years of fellowship at ESO -2y at Paranal and 1y in Garching. Then I entered CNRS on a full-research position in France and spent 12y at LAM working on radial-velocity and space-based transit surveys. In 2013, I joined CFHT for 6y to get closer to science operations and work on SPIRou. I made that choice because the opportunity presented itself and it was a good moment wrt the projects I was working on. I was eager to come back to science operations as I had known them at ESO.

3- How long have you been working in an observatory?

3y at ESO + 4.5y at CFHT for the moment, over a 20y long career, so not continuous. I appreciated the opportunity to go back and worth between observatory work and pure-research (and administration) work. I never applied for a long-term observatory position as I really enjoyed focusing on research projects during some years.

4- Pros and Cons (Likes/Dislikes) of your life in an observatory?

Pros: there is a huge variety of different interactions in an observatory, that are more sparse in a research lab - either with our different users, or with other astronomers or engineers of the observatory with whom we develop and maintain the observatory tools and the instrument monitoring systems. Maunakea observatories offers many opportunities for interactions and mutual training as well, which is a great richness.

Cons: Isolation from the science community, as the trends are for more automated remote observations. Less time for research projects.

5- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

Having become a guide tour! That was unexpected. Or having visitors demanding to observe parts of the sky which were below the horizon...

6- What is the scariest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

Thunder at Pic du Midi. Seeing telescopes falling down (twice).

7- When was a time that you weren't sure if you could do something, but you did it?

That's very frequent, as operations require to take micro-decisions all the time. Reboot computers by instinct when you don't have a precise procedure. Start the cooling of an instrument when you see it warming up and nobody is around to take this decision.

8- What advice would you give to someone interested in working at an observatory? 

Go for it! you need a strong interest in technical stuff, either instrument or low-level data analysis, preferably both! Being a woman is no problem for observatory work; on the contrary I always found very weel integrated and welcomed as a woman. If possible, I would recommend either alternate between observatory and research lab, or make strong connection with some users (especially if you're instrument scientist) and contribute to their science. SciOps people are very good additions to a research team.

9- What do you do for fun at the observatory?

 I don't understand the question. It's always for fun at the observatory! we've got a lot of opportunities to mix day staff and night staff -monthly snacks; once-a-year full day of games or sports.

10- What do you do for fun when you're *not* at the observatory?

Pretty personnal :) I like to hike and to paddle on the ocean. Like to sing and dance as well!

Atsuko Nitta - Head of Science Operations at Gemini North Observatory

1- Present yourself : who you are + describe your job

I am an astronomer working at Gemini Observatory. Gemini has two telescopes, one in Hawaii (Gemini North) and one in Chile (Gemini South). I currently serve as the Head of Science Operations at Gemini North. 

2- Can you explain your study + professional paths?

I was studying theoretical particle physics (mainly on CP violation) in Japan. I got a fellowship to go overseas for two years. I went to University of Texas and instead of returning after two years, I completed my graduate studies there and earned my PhD in astronomy.

3- How long have you been working in an observatory?

I have been at Gemini for 11 years.

4- Pros and Cons (Likes/Dislikes) of your life in an observatory?

It is exciting to be at the forefront of new science and discovery. But that is only achieved by all of us working so everything is working as expected all year round (like a hopspital , for instance) 

5- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

Someone putting a "comet" image on the cloud camera on April Foo's night.

6- What is the scariest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

The sound of the 82inch dome at night. It makes such creepy sound. 

7- When was a time that you weren't sure if you could do something, but you did it?

Studying physics and astronomy. Not considered those bring good future. 

8- What advice would you give to someone interested in working at an observatory? 

I have had good and bad time, but most importantly, it has been rewarding.
Observatories tend to be in isolated locations, so it might work for some people for some time, but not for everyone for all the time. But it is hard to find out if you don't try. So give it a shot. 

9- What do you do for fun at the observatory?

Work is not all stress, it is fun too. I also enjoy interacting with people from all over the world and different backgrounds. That is fun for me. 

10- What do you do for fun when you're *not* at the observatory?

Hang out with friends/family. Yoga, beach, reading...