The 2024A Gemini Observing Tool is now available for download.
This version is required to access the Gemini Observing Databases.
The Installation Instructions are linked on the Observing Tool web page, and we recommend that everyone download their programs from the databases rather than import from saved XMLs.
Gemini North and South are accepting proposals for the Fast Turnaround (FT) program in this call. Here, we give information specific to this proposal cycle.
We're pleased to announce that the Gemini North and South observing databases (ODB) are now accessible to all Principal Investigators (PIs).
The Gemini South maintenance shutdown began on 2 October 2023 and is expected to continue through 11 November 2023. This planned shutdown will involve several critical tasks, including stripping and recoating the primary mirror of the Gemini South telescope, replacing aging helium lines in the Cassegrain wrap, and addressing various essential maintenance issues in both the telescope and its subsystems.
Gemini North and Gemini South are taking science data
The Phase I servers encounted significant technical issues as we approach the 2024A proposal deadline. We believe that the problems have been resolved. We are extending the proposal deadline for all participants until 19:59 MST/Pacific (16:59 Hawaii, 23:59 Chile/Argentina/Brazil) on October 3, 2023 (11:59 October 4 in Korea) so that all valid proposals can be received. Please submit a Helpdesk ticket if you have any additional problems or questions.
GMOS-S will be removed from the telescope on Friday, July 21st for the CCDs intervention, with the purpose of replacing the faulty CCD2.
The instrument is scheduled to come back during late August for the commissioning of the upgraded detector array, and expected to be available for Science by September.
The Altair electronics remain in an unstable state and are not suitable for operations at this time. Investigations are continuing. We will not install NIFS until Altair is reliably functional. It is likely that NIFS will not be available until the later blocks scheduled in 2023B: in November and January.
The Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST) is Gemini's newest facility instrument and expands access to high-resolution optical spectroscopy to the southern hemisphere for Gemini users. GHOST will be available to the community through a shared risk call in 2023B and then through normal operations in 2024A.
The GMOS-N B600 grating sensitivity has recently degraded significantly. This overall degradation is in addition to the blue sensitivity loss reported previously. Since the new B480 grating is now available for GMOS-N, we recommend changing B600 programs to the B480 grating. The B480 grating offers a wider wavelength coverage than B600 at a a slightly reduced spectral resolution.