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Semester 2015B Time Distribution

Overview

The time available on each of Gemini North and South is distributed according to the Observatory partners' shares . To maintain overall balance amongst the partnership, the time available to each partner is adjusted each semester as a result of actual time charged in prior semesters. The time made available is approved at the Operations Working Group meeting prior to the Call. Historically, around 5% of each semester's science time is used to complete highly ranked programs from the previous two semesters to which the ITAC granted rollover status. This time is included in the time distributions given below.

The science time available at each telescope includes a 5% Director's Discretionary Time allocation, available to all astronomers through the Director's Discretionary Time proposal process. The estimated time available for each partner and host institution in 2015B is shown in the Tables below. The number of nights is approximated by int(hours/10).

Gemini North: Time Availability and Distribution

The planned time available for science use at Gemini North is 88% of the total time available in 2015B, which amounts to a minimum of ~162 nights. This time includes time used for queue and classical observations, large and long programs for participating partners, fast turnaround programs for participating partners, weather loss, and time lost to faults. A total of ~16.5 nights of the science time have been reserved for Director's Discretionary Time, time for the Korea limited-term partnership, time for the system verification and demonstration science of new instrument modes, and time for the CFHT exchange for the use of GRACES. A total of 22.5 nights of the total available time have been reserved for engineering; this includes engineering time in the queue, engineering time to accommodate visiting instrumentation, instrument performance monitoring, and a A&G shutdown including a recoating of M2. All unused engineering time will be returned to science.

Partner Estimated Hours Available
US 814*
Canada 271*
Australia 73***
Brazil 87**
Argentina 55*
Univ. of Hawaii (host) 164**

* - The total time available for the United States, Canada, and Argentina include time allocated through the Large and Long Program and Fast Turnaround observing modes. Up to 20% of the time available may be allocated to LLPs, and up to 10% of the time available may be allocated to FT programs.
** - The total time available for Brazil and the Univ. of Hawaii includes time allocated through the Fast Turnaround observing mode. Up to 10% of the time available may be allocated to FT Programs.
*** - The total time available for Australia includes ~5 hours previously allocated to Large and Long Programs through the end of 2015.

Gemini South: Time Availability and Distribution

The planned time available for science use at Gemini South is 85% of the total time available in 2015B, which amounts to a minimum of ~156 nights. This time includes time used for queue and classical observations, large and long programs for participating partners, weather loss, and time lost to faults. A total of ~29.5 nights of this time have been reserved for Director's Discretionary Time, time for the Korea limited-term partnership, GSAOI guaranteed time, the GPI Campaign, and GPI guaranteed time. 28 nights of the total available time have been reserved for engineering; this includes engineering time in the queue, instrument performance monitoring, commissioning for new instruments and modes, and an A&G shutdown including recoating of the primary mirror. All unused engineering time will be returned to science.

Partner Estimated Hours Available
US 729*
Canada 245*
Australia 67**
Brazil 79
Argentina 50*
Chile (host) 107

* - The total time available for the United States, Canada, and Argentina include time allocated through the Large and Long Program Observing Mode. Up to 20% of the time available may be allocated to LLPs.
** - The total time available for Australia includes ~8.5 hours previously allocated to Large and Long Programs through the end of 2015.


Gemini Observatory Participants