Gemini Preprint #27


The Support Capability Requirements of 8-m Telescope Science

Phil Puxley
Gemini 8m Telescopes Project, 180 Kinoole St., Hilo HI 96720

Todd Boroson
US Gemini Project Office, 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson AZ 85719

Pat Roche
Astrophysics Group, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

Jean-Rene Roy
Departement de Physique, Universite Laval, Canada

Abstract.

Science workshops were held throughout the Gemini partnership during the second half of 1997 with the aims of identifying and quantifying the supporting capabilities required to enhance the utility and efficiency of the Gemini 8m telescopes. These workshops, held separately in the US, UK, Canada and South America, ensured representation of a wide range of scientific interests by astronomers from the community. At each workshop many scientific programs were considered in detail sufficient to understand the requirements for their execution on Gemini as well as for any preparatory observations. The desire for wide-field optical and near-infrared imaging was frequently identified with an average of one-half to one night of these survey observations per night of Gemini follow-up. Two other common themes were high angular resolution imaging and rapid response to target-of-opportunity events.

Appears in Proc. SPIE 3349, "Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return".

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Ruth A. Kneale / web@gemini.edu / March 30, 1998