For the Phase I observing proposals, that are not using Nod-and-Shuffle and do not require very detailed timing, you can use the telescope setup times given below, plus 2 min per exposure to cover readout, filter changes etc. For Nod-and-Shuffle additional overheads apply. These are described below. These overheads should be added to the overheads from the telescope setup and the readout etc., whenever Nod-and-Shuffle is used.

The FLAMINGOS-2 team strongly recommends that PIs read this section and also that they start from the automatically-generated OT templates for FLAMINGOS-2 OT library when preparing F2 observations. The library contains detailed instructions for customising the template observations: changing targets, standard stars, slit widths, etc. This web page is intended to explain the various OT components in depth:

This section mainly describes how to prepare and check FLAMINGOS-2 observations. Setting up observing sequences at Phase II is not intuitive until one is quite experienced (and maybe even not then). Thus, the key to successful observation preparation is starting from the FLAMINGOS-2 OT Library.

Checklist for FLAMINGOS-2 Phase II (OT) programs

Recommended GCAL configurations and Exp. Times for F2 calibrations:
Quartz Halogen flats and Ar Arcs

Note the following:

• This table is still a work in progress. This page and the smart CALS will be updated periodically

This page contains useful information for configuring F2 observations which should help reduce the number of iterations on the Phase II file between the PI and the NGO. It also contains an overview of the required OT observations and components for programs of different types. Before submitting your Phase II program to Gemini, use the F2 Phase II checklist to eliminate common mistakes.

The Gemini 2013B observing programs have now been announced. Successful PIs will receive email notification on June 17 2013. Please check the schedules page for more information. Note that the new Observing Tool must be used to access and update 13B programs.

Resolutions from the Gemini Board’s May 2013 meeting

In August 2012 the Gemini community was invited to propose System Verification (SV) science programs for GeMS/GSAOI. The deadline for proposal submissions was September 14, 2012,. Approximately 60 hours of SV time was available in the 2012B semester. The response from the community was very positive: a total of 28 proposal were received, requesting ~138 hours (an oversubscription factor of 2.3). The PIs of successful SV proposals were notified on October 12, 2012. The GeMS/GSAOI SV observations started at the end of December 2012 and extended to end of March 2013.