ESO Programme Identification Code
The ESO programme id is the identification code assigned to each observing run in the format:
- PPP.C-NNNN(R), or
- PP.C-NNNN(R)
PPP or PP is the period number.
The syntax for the period number has evolved with time and it is depending on the programme type, as explained in the table below.
| Programme Type | Period 46 to 57 | Period 58 to 71 | From Period 72 onwards |
| Normal programme | \sPP | PP | 0PP |
| GTO programme | PP (starting 63) | 0PP | |
| ToO programme | PP (starting 65) | 0PP | |
| Large programme | 1PP (starting 63) | ||
| DDT programme | 2PP (starting 64) | ||
| Short programme | 3PP (starting 80) | ||
| Calibration programme | 4PP (starting 82) | ||
\s: space
Period 60 is a special period, which has several meanings:
| Period 60 | Programme Type |
| 60.A-9NNN | Commissioning programme |
| 60.A-9NNN, 60.O-9025 | Science verification programme |
| 60.A-9055 | Science demonstration programme |
| 60.A-9700 (La Silla) and 60.A-9800 (Paranal) | Technical programme |
| 60.[A-F]-0NNN | EMMI/SUSI programme |
C is the programme scientific category, as defined by the ESO Observing Programmes Committee (OPC).
This is an uppercase letter, currently ranging from A to D. Check the OPC categories page for more details.
ESO proposals for APEX use the OPC categories too. Onsala, Max-Planck and Chile APEX programmes, which do not go through the OPC, are assigned to category F.
NNNN is a running number.
There are a few special cases:
| Programme Type | Period 78 | From period 79 onwards | From period 81 onwards |
| ESO LABOCA SV | 9002<NNNN<9040 | ||
| Onsala regular APEX | 9300<NNNN<9399 | ||
| Onsala SV APEX | 9400<NNNN<9499 | ||
| Max Planck APEX | 9500<NNNN<9599 | ||
| Max Planck SV APEX | 9600<NNNN<9699 | ||
| Chile APEX | 9700<NNNN<9799 | ||
SV: Science Verification
R is the observing run identifier.
This is an uppercase letter.