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Semester 2015A 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 allocations are adjusted each semester as a result of actual time charged in prior semesters. The allocations are 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 2015A 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 96% of the total time available in 2015A, which amounts to a minimum of ~176 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 14.5 nights of the science time have been reserved for Director's Discretionary Time, time for the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute partnership, and time for the system verification and demonstration science of new instrument modes. A total of 7.5 nights of the total available time have been reserved for engineering; this includes engineering time in the queue, engineering time to accommodate visiting instrumentation, and instrument performance monitoring. All unused engineering time will be returned to science.

Partner Estimated Hours Available
US 876*
Canada 219*
Australia 88*
Brazil 90
Argentina 34*
Univ. of Hawaii (host) 192

* - The total time available for the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina has been reduced by 119 hours for time allocated through the Large and Long Program process.

Gemini South: Time Availability and Distribution

The planned time available for science use at Gemini South is 93% of the total time available in 2015A, which amounts to a minimum of ~169 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 ~32 nights of this time have been reserved for Director's Discretionary Time, time for the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute partnership,GSAOI guaranteed time, the GPI Campaign, and GPI guaranteed time. A total of 13 nights of the total available time have been reserved for engineering; this includes engineering time in the queue, instrument performance monitoring, and commissioning for new instruments and modes. All unused engineering time will be returned to science.

Partner Estimated Hours Available
US 806*
Canada 197*
Australia 81*
Brazil 80
Argentina 30*
Chile (host) 129

* - The total time available for the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina has been reduced by 73 hours for time allocated through the Large and Long Program process.


Gemini Observatory Participants