New Items for Semester 2013B

New Phase 1 Tool (PIT)

The Phase I Tool (PIT) has been revised for 2013B; see the PIT page for downloads and the help pages for the PIT for further information. The PIT has been updated to include the likely visitor instruments, DSSI/Speckle and TEXES.

Exchange Time

A minimum of 5 nights have been promised on Subaru in semester 2013B. Instrument availability is summarised in the Gemini 2013B Call, as well as the Subaru 13B Call. Due to the mirror coating, the Subaru telescope is not available until around September 20 in 2013B.

No Keck exchange time is offered in 2013B.

Target Accessibility

Target accessibility limits for 2013B are, for Gemini North 17 < RA < 13.5 and -37 < dec < +90, and for Gemini South 16 < RA < 12 and -90 < dec < +28. There are additional constraints if a program requires unrestricted access (e.g. MOS pre-imaging, long observations or observations with strict constraints), or the laser AO system at Gemini North or South. GSAOI+GeMS is restricted to RA 19h to 11h and Dec -75d to +15d. GMOS-South may not be available between mid-October and November, for a detector upgrade; targets with RA 23h to 6h should therefore have alternatives. GNIRS is available in all modes from mid-August, targets are therefore limited to RA 18h to 13.5h.

During 2013B Gemini Director's Discretionary Time will be allocated to use GSAOI to obtain non-proprietary data on two galaxy clusters that are part of the Hubble Space Telescope Frontier Fields program. Investigators who require deeper or different observations of these fields are welcome to submit such proposals.

Gemini Instrumentation

Michelle and T-ReCS have been retired. NICI is not offered in 2013B when it is expected to be retired.

In the North, we expect to offer the visitor instruments the DSSI Speckle camera and TEXES for limited blocks of time during the semester, in queue mode only. DSSI can be mounted in bright time in July and August 2013, limiting RAs to 15.5h to 3h. TEXES can be mounted in October 2013 bright time, limiting RAs to 20h to 7.5h. Up to 110 hours are available with each instrument; a minimum allocation of 35 hours is required for the instrument to be made available. All required calibrations should be included in the time requested by the PI. The programs for the visiting instruments will be merged into the queue in the normal fashion and can therefore be in any of the three bands.

In the South,

• FLAMINGOS-2 will be available on a shared-risk basis in imaging and long-slit modes only. It is expected to be available throughout the semester. Due to the likely unavailability of GMOS-South in October and November 2013, targets with RAs 23h to 6h are particularly encouraged. As of February 2013, the delivered image quality of FLAMINGOS-2 in the lab is only approximately IQ85 quality; please refer to the instrument's Status and Availability page for updates.
• Up to 150 hours with GSAOI + GeMS is expected to be available between September and January, limiting RAs to 19h to 11h. Observations in IQ85 are possible and are encouraged for semester 2013B, for programs that can use images with FWHM ~0.2 arcseconds as opposed to the ≤0.1 arcseconds delivered in IQ70 or IQ20. More GSAOI+GeMS guide modes are available in 2013B than in 2013A, although there are still limitations. Investigators must check the availability of Guide Star constellations using the Observing Tool before submitting a proposal.
• GMOS-South may be unavailable between mid-October and November while the CCDs are replaced; applicants with targets at RA 23h to 6h are advised to have backup targets available. Investigators should assume the performance of the current EEV detectors when planning their observations.