• Gemini Near-Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS) – This versatile spectrograph provides long-slit and cross-dispersed spectroscopy in the near-infrared (1 – 5.5 microns). GNIRS offers resolutions of approximately 1700, 5900, and 18000 in long-slit mode. Cross-dispersed spectroscopy gives complete 0.9-2.5 micron coverage at R≈1700 and partial coverage at R≈5900. System verification is set for Semester 2010A at Gemini North. See GNIRS specifications and more details at: http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/gnirs/

• FLAMINGOS-2 – A near-infrared (0.95 – 2.4 microns) imager (6 × 6 arcminute field) and multi-object spectrograph (2 × 6 arcminute field). A special Fabry-Perot tunable filter will be available for narrowband imaging and the instrument will also be compatible with GeMS, the Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics System. First light occurred at Gemini South in mid-2009 and commissioning is underway into 2010. Find more instrument specifications at: www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/flamingos2/

• Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics System (GeMS) – Currently under construction at Gemini South, GeMS uses three deformable mirrors, five laser guide stars, and associated wavefront sensors to enable high Strehl and uniform image quality observations over a field of view of 2 arcminutes in diameter. GeMS will be used with the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) and FLAMINGOS-2. For more details see the instrument page. A general update article is on pages 60-61 of the December 2009 issue of GeminiFocus.

• Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) – GPI will use adaptive optics to deliver diffraction-limited images and spectroscopy between 0.9 and 2.4 microns. Two deformable mirrors and coronagraphic masks will provide high contrast to discover and characterize planets around young stars. GPI is currently being built by an international team led by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and should be delivered to Gemini South during 2011. For more details see the project’s external webpage.