Skip to main content
Gemini Observatory Logo
NOIRLab Logo U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) logo
Canadian National Research Council (NRC) logo Chilean Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID) logo Brazilian Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação logo Argentinean Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación logo Korea Astronomy and Space Institute (KASI) logo
  • Menu
      • Start here!
      • Phase I: Proposing for Time
        • PIT
          • PIT Description
          • PIT Help
        • Standard Semester Program
          • 2025A Call for Proposals
            • Semester 2025A Instrument Restrictions and Target Accessibility
            • Semester 2025A Important Dates
            • Semester 2025A Time Distribution
          • 2024B Call for Proposals
            • Semester 2024B Instrument Restrictions and Target Accessibility
            • Semester 2024B Important Dates
            • Semester 2024B Time Distribution
          • 2024A Call for Proposals
            • Semester 2024A Instrument Restrictions and Target Accessibility
            • Semester 2024A Important Dates
            • Semester 2024A Time Distribution
          • JWST Synergies Proposal Category
          • Previous Calls for Proposals
            • 2023B Call for Proposals
              • Semester 2023B Instrument Restrictions and Target Accessibility
              • Semester 2023B Important Dates
              • Semester 2023B Time Distribution
        • TAC
        • PW
        • LLP
          • 2025 LLP Call for Proposals
          • 2024 LLP Call for Proposals
          • 2023 LLP Call for Proposals
          • 2021 LLP Call for Proposals
          • 2020 LLP Call for Proposals
          • Approved LLPs
            • Gemini as the Ultimate Time Domain Follow-up Machine: Understanding the Nearest Cosmic Explosions
            • SPECTRE-GHOST: Spectroscopically Probing Extremely (hot) Climates of TRansiting Exoplanets with GHOST
            • The GHOSTLy quasar sample
            • GOFAST–XRB: Gemini Optical FAST timing of X-Ray Binaries
            • Velocity-resolved Echo Mapping with Gemini
            • Deriving Reliable Fundamental Quasar Properties with Gemini Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
            • The First Large Census of Fast Radio Burst Host Galaxies with Gemini
            • Leverage the Past For A Future With High-res Spectroscopic Phase Curves of Hot Jupiters
            • Elemental Abundances via SpectroscopY of Exoplanet-hosting Cool Dwarfs
            • A MAROON-X radial velocity search for planets around the nearest stars
            • A Spectroscopically Complete Census of Faint Transients Observed by the Young Supernova Experiment
            • Roasting Marshmallows: Disentangling Composition & Climate in Hot Jupiter Atmospheres through High-Resolution Thermal Emission Cross-Correlation Spectroscopy
            • Investigating the Activity Drivers of Small Bodies in the Centaur-to-Jupiter-Family Transition
            • Subaru Intensive Program: g-band Imaging for Science with Euclid and UNIONS
            • Exploring the Diversity of Exoplanet Atmospheres at High Spectral Resolution
            • A High-Resolution Survey of Molecular Abundances in Transiting Exoplanet Atmospheres
            • Validation and Characterization of Exoplanets with Gemini High-Resolution Imaging
            • Monitoring Seasonal Reversal in Uranus' Upper Atmosphere
            • Observational Characterization of Recurrently Active Main-Belt Comets and Near-Earth Main-Belt Comet Candidates
            • ZF2K: The First Exploration of the K-Band Window and a Complete Census of Massive Galaxies at 4 < z < 6
            • Chemistry of new metal-poor stars found in the Pristine Survey
            • Validating TESS Exoplanet Candidates
            • Young Star & Protoplanetary Disk Evolution with High- Resolution IR Spectroscopy
            • Placing High-Redshift Quasars in Perspective: a Gemini Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Survey
            • MaDCoWS: The Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey
            • The K2 Supernova Experiment - Campaigns 16 and 17
            • Scattered Light imaging of YSOs: Probing the Fundamental Stages of Planet Formation
            • DES Supernova Cosmology
            • Addressing a Bias in the Relation Between Galaxies and Their Central Black Holes
            • Observational Characterization of Active Main-Belt Comets and Main-Belt Comet Nuclei
            • Dynamical Masses of Black Holes and Neutron Stars from the Galactic Bulge Survey
            • Characterizing Dusty Debris in Exoplanetary Systems
            • The First Survey Dedicated to the Detection and Characterization of Clouds in Exoplanet Atmospheres
            • Validating K2’s Habitable and Rocky Planets with AO Imaging
            • A GNIRS Near-IR Spectroscopic Survey of z>5.7 Quasars
            • Probing the dark halo of the Milky Way with GeMS/GSAOI
            • Where Accretion Meets Feedback: A Galaxy Redshift Survey in HST/COS Quasar Fields
            • Rapid Spectroscopy of Elusive Transients and Young Supernovae
            • Spectroscopic Confirmation of Dark Energy Survey Strong Lensing Systems and Spectra for Photometric Redshift Calibration
            • COL-OSSOS: COLours for the Outer Solar System Object Survey
            • The GOGREEN Survey of dense galaxy environments at 1<z<1.5
            • Followup of newly discovered Near-Earth objects from the NEOWISE survey
        • FT
          • FT CfP
        • DDT
        • Queue
        • Classical
        • PV
        • ToO
        • Eavesdropping
        • Joint Proposals
      • Phase II: Requesting & Monitoring Observations
        • OT
          • OT Description
            • Science Program Elements
            • Detailed element editor
            • Menu Bar
            • Problems tab
            • Main Toolbar
            • Science Program Viewer
            • Libraries
            • Browser
            • OT Position Editor
            • Guide Star Selection
            • Catalog Query Tool
            • Templates
            • Other
          • OT Help
        • OT/Phase II Checklist
        • Instructions
          • Instructions archives
        • Useful to know
        • Non-Sidereal Targets
      • Phase III: Retrieving & Reducing Data
        • Downloading and Understanding the Data
        • Reducing the Data
          • DRAGONS Data Reduction Software
          • Gemini IRAF Data Reduction Software
            • Getting Started with Gemini IRAF
          • Timing information
          • Data Formats
          • Installing Anaconda for Gemini
        • Getting Help
          • Data Workshops
        • Acknowledging Gemini
        • Providing Feedback
      • Getting Help
        • Submit a General Helpdesk Request
      • Schedules and Queue
        • Nightlog GN
        • Nightlog GS
        • 2025A Classical Schedule
        • 2024B Classical Schedule
        • Queue Summary (Bands, DD, LP, FT, PW)
        • Previous Semesters
          • 2024A Classical Schedule
      • Resources
        • Magnitudes and Fluxes
          • Conversions between magnitudes and flux
          • Flux Conversion Tool
        • Multi-Object Spectroscopy
        • Near-IR Resources
          • Photometry
            • Photometric Standard Search
            • UKIRT Standards
            • Hunt Standards
            • Persson Standards
            • Persson Red Standrads
            • UKIRT Bright Standards
            • NIRI Filter Color Transformations
            • Very Faint Standards
          • Spectroscopy
            • Telluric Standard Search
            • Spectral Templates - Library V2.0
            • Spectral Templates - Observations and Data Reduction
            • Spectral Templates - R=18000
            • CO lines and band heads
            • Important H2 Lines
            • Hydrogen Recombination Lines
        • Optical Resources
        • Integration Time Calculator (ITC)
          • ITC Help
          • ITC Release Notes
          • Properties in the ITC
        • Advice
        • Available Filters
      • Science Operations Statistics
        • Historical statistics
      • Telescopes and Sites
        • Telescopes
        • Sites
          • Cloud Cameras
            • Gemini South All Sky Camera
          • Site Status
          • Weather Now
      • Policies Regarding Observing
      • Visiting Gemini
        • Graduate Student Visitor Program
        • Visitas al telescopio
        • Maunakea Visitor's Guidelines
      • Operations Development
      • Current Instruments
        • Altair
          • Modes
          • Performance
          • Field Lens
          • Observation Preparation
          • Documents
        • GHOST
          • Capabilities
          • Components
          • Proposal Preparation
          • Calibrations
          • Exposure Time Estimation
          • Preparing Observations
          • Data Reduction
          • GHOST Webinar Series
          • GHOST System Verification
          • Documentation
        • NIRI
          • Capability
          • Components
          • Proposal preparation
          • Calibrations
          • Observation preparation
          • Exposure time estimation
          • Data reduction
        • TEXES
          • Sensitivity and Time Requests
          • Integration Time Calculator
        • GNIRS
          • Capability
          • Components
          • Proposal preparation
          • Calibrations
          • Observation preparation
          • Exposure time estimation
          • Data reduction
          • Documents
        • IGRINS-2
          • Capability
          • Components
          • Proposal preparation
          • Calibrations
          • Observation preparation
          • Exposure Time Estimation
          • Data Reduction
          • Documents
        • GMOS
          • Capability
          • Components
          • Proposal preparation
          • Calibrations
          • Observation preparation
          • Exposure Time Estimation
          • Data Reduction
          • Documents
        • GeMS
          • MCAO
          • Performances
          • Components
          • Observation Preparation
          • Procedures
          • Documents
        • Flamingos 2
          • Capability
          • Components
          • Proposal preparation
          • Calibrations
          • Observation preparation
          • Exposure Time Estimation
          • Data reduction
          • Documents
        • GSAOI
          • Capability
          • Components
          • Proposal preparation
          • Calibrations
          • Observation preparation
          • Exposure Time Estimation
          • Data reduction
          • Documents
        • `Alopeke & Zorro
          • Capability
          • Components
          • Proposal preparation
          • Calibrations
            • Point Source Standard Search
          • Observation preparation
          • Data reduction
        • MAROON-X
          • Capability
          • Components
          • Proposal preparation
          • Calibrations
          • Observation Preparation
          • Exposure Time Estimation
          • Data Reduction
          • Documents
      • Future Instruments
        • Specs and Documents
        • SCORPIO
        • GIRMOS
        • GPI 2.0
        • GNAO
          • Design
          • Publications
          • Science Cases
          • Team
      • Visiting Instrument Program
        • Telescope Interfaces
      • Instrument Upgrade Program
        • Previously Awarded Updates
        • 2017 Request for Proposals
      • Retired Instruments
      • Performance Monitoring
      • Timing information in Gemini Instruments
      • Conduct
      • Careers and Jobs
      • Publications
      • Gemini Telescopes, Science and Technologies
      • Gemini In The Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy
        • GEMMA Team
        • Publications
        • GEMMA Outreach
        • Documents
          • AOB Conceptual Design
      • National Gemini Offices (NGO)
      • Governance
      • Participant Shares
      • Web Accessibility
      • Contact Us
      • Gemini Contact Scientists
      • Gemini Strategic Planning
      • Gemini Research Staff
      • Images
      • Videos
      • CloudCam
      • Virtual tour
      • Activities at Gemini
        • Live From Gemini
        • Journey Through The Universe
      • Facility Tours
      • Gemini Card Game
      • Gemini Science Meetings
      • Gemini at National Meetings
      • Topical Science Meetings
  • Home
  • Observing
  • Phase II - Program preparation, observations, quality control and archiving
  • Observing Tool (OT)
  • Gemini Observing Tool (OT) Description

OT Libraries

Updated September 11, 2021 by astephens
  • Share
  • Tweet

OT Description

  • Science Program Elements
  • Detailed element editor
  • Menu Bar
  • Problems tab
  • Main Toolbar
  • Science Program Viewer
  • Libraries
  • Browser
  • OT Position Editor
  • Guide Star Selection
  • Catalog Query Tool
  • Templates
  • Other

The Observing Tool libraries contain complete example observations as well as templates of observations, e.g. commonly used configurations, sequences, standard calibrations and ancillary information which may be copy-and-pasted into a new observation. The intent of these libraries is to speed the development of new science programs. As observing procedures and instrument configurations may change from semester to semester (installation of new GCAL filters, for instance), it is advisable that PIs download the most recent libraries when defining new observations.

Several features in the OT make it easy to fetch the libraries and keep them updated. Clicking on the Libraries button in the Program Editor main toolbar will cause the OT to search the local program database for the libraries for all instruments used by the program in the Program Editor. If those libraries are not in the local database and the computer is online, then the libraries will be fetched automatically. The libraries will then be loaded into a new OT window. If more than one library is loaded, then they can be accessed using the Previous/Next arrows.

caution Note that the OT cannot automatically check for new versions of the libraries. We recommend that the libraries be fetched manually (see below) at the beginning of every Phase 2 preparation period.

The libraries can be fetched at any time using the Fetch Libraries option from the File menu. This should be used instead of the regular Fetch option for getting the OT libraries. After Fetch Libraries is chosen the following window appears and the libraries to be fetched are selected.

Library fetch selection

Clicking Fetch will cause the libraries to be downloaded.  If a library already exists in the local database then the user will be prompted if they want to continue.

Prompt to update OT libraries

The current libraries have the program ids mentioned in the table below and are most easily accessed with the Library button on the main toolbar.

Libraries of mid-infrared standard stars and asteroids are available For MICHELLE and T-ReCS. These three OT libraries do not contain full observations, but they do have the proper "Target" components for all the standard stars, with proper PWFS guide stars defined. These target components can be copied into other programs as needed. The first of these libraries contains a smaller set of primary and secondary standards, from somewhat disparate sources. The second library includes all the stars listed on the Cohen spectroscopic standard stars page, from Cohen et al. (1999), and the third contains asteroids useful for high-resolution spectroscopic observations. Although the files are labelled "MICHELLE" standards, they are of course equally useful for T-ReCS programs. These three libraries will be fetched automatically with the MICHELLE OT library.

The following OT libraries are available:

Site/Instrument Program Reference
Gemini North
GMOS-N GN-GMOS-library
GNIRS GN-GNIRS-library
GRACES GN-GRACES-library
Michelle* GN-MICHELLE-library
GN-CAL-MICHELLE-Standards
GN-CAL-MICHELLE-COHENall
GN-CAL-MICHELLE-Asteroids
NIFS GN-NIFS-library
NIRI GN-NIRI-library
TEXES GN-TEXES-library
Gemini South
FLAMINGOS-2 GS-Flamingos2-library
GMOS-S GS-GMOS-library
GPI GS-GPI-library
GSAOI GS-GSAOI-library
NICI* GS-NICI-library
Phoenix GS-PHOENIX-library
T-ReCS* GS-TReCS-library

* The libraries for MICHELLE, T-RECS, and NICI are for reference only as these instruments are currently not in use.

International Gemini Observatory

The International Gemini Observatory  provides the astronomical communities in six participant countries with state-of-the-art astronomical facilities that allocate observing time in proportion to each country's contribution. In addition to financial support, each country also contributes significant scientific and technical resources. The national research agencies that form the Gemini partnership include: the US National Science Foundation (NSF), the Canadian National Research Council (NRC), the Chilean Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID), the Brazilian Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação, the Argentinean Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación, and the Korea Astronomy and Space Institute (KASI). The observatory is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under a cooperative agreement with the NSF. The NSF also serves as the executive agency for the international partnership.     


Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) logo

Follow Gemini Observatory