Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, Victor M. Blanco 4-m Telescope, and the Dark Energy Survey

The CTIO V. M. Blanco 4-m telescope is to be the host facility for the Dark Energy Survey (DES), a large area optical survey intended to measure the dark energy equation of state parameter, w, to a precision of ˜ 5%. The survey is expected to take 5 years and use a new 520 megapixel CCD prime focus imaging system: the Dark Energy Camera (DECam). In preparation for the arrival of DECam, we plan numerous upgrades to the telescope, including a new telescope control system optimized for programmed and queued survey observations, modifications to the telescope itself to improve reliability and performance, extended real-time telemetry of site and facility characteristics, and a distributed observer interface allowing for on- and off-site observations and real time quality control. These upgrades are specifically motivated by the scientific goals of the DES but will also improve community use of the telescope.