We are delighted to announce the release of the long-awaited PyRAF-compatible version of the Gemini Data Reduction IRAF Package, release number v1.10.
For additional information, instructions and download of the package go to the Gemini Data Processing Software page.
The 2009A Observing Tool (OT) is now available to support remaining 2008B observations and the start of semester 2009A.
The allocations for successful Gemini 2009A observing programs have now been announced. Please check the 2009A schedules page for more information.
Gemini is happy to announce that it is accepting proposals for observing time in semester 2009A. The proposal deadline is September 30, 2008. A new version of the Phase I Tool (PIT) has been released to support proposal submissions.
The Phase I Tool (PIT) for semester 2009A observing proposals has been released. This should also be used for poor weather and director's time proposals during the remainder of semester 2008B.
Starting on Tuesday, June 10 the Gemini Observatory observing databases will be upgraded in preparation for semester 2008B and so will not be accessible by the Observing Tool (OT) or the web report forms. The Gemini North update will be on Tuesday, June 10 and the Gemini South update will be on Thursday, June 12. After the updates ToO triggers will only be possible via the URL mechanism until the new OT is released. The 2008B OT will be available on Friday, June 13 and this will be needed for subsequent fetch/store operations. Please check this site for further announcements.
Gemini North welcomes poor weather proposals . Note that reliable guiding with the peripheral wave-front sensor (P2) at the optimum frequency requires a star brighter than R~13.5 in clear, dark skies, so in cloudy conditions we can observe only programs with R<11.5 guide-stars. For the GMOS OIWFS the same limit applies. For GMOS-N, only imaging or R400 and B600 spectroscopic programs will be considered.