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Help Page for the Gemini Phase I Tool (PIT)

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PIT

There is no specific order required to fill the different sections. Yet, you can find below a series of videos and documentation that suggest a proper way to prepare a Gemini proposal using PIT.

NOTE that links in the text below lead to a separate page (PIT components) with details on the different sections and elements. Also, all the videos can be viewed from a single playlist.

While the basic process depicted in the videos is correct, some details have changed. See the PIT Description for the latest information.

If anything remains unclear, please contact the help desk (you can also email us at sus_inquiries@gemini.edu, but this address will be deactivated on 9/1/23).

Overview Section

The Overview section, visible from the first time PIT is opened, contains the fields to enter:

  1. The title,
  2. The abstract (no more than 200 words, no LATeX),
  3. The TAC Category
  4. The Keywords
  5. The PDF attachment
  6. The names of the science team (PI and Co-Is)

Additional information can be found about the PDF Attachment.

Please find also details about the Menu Bar (at the top of PIT), and the Problems section (at the bottom of PIT). 

Video tutorial: How to use the Overview section, the menu bar and the Problems section (or read about the section). 

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Video timestamps

00:25
00:40
01:10
01:29
01:50
02:25
03:35
05:07		 Menu bar
Problems section
Title and Abstract
TAC category
Keywords
Attachment (including Science and Technical Justifications) 
Entering PI and Co-I information
Save your work

Observations and Targets Sections

The Observations section is the one that is up the first time PIT is opened. It contains all the details on:

  1. The requested weather conditions
  2. The instrument(s) and set-up required
  3. The targets
  4. The time requested per target
The target list is prepared separately in the Targets section.

Video tutorial: How to prepare the targets list and the observations (or read about the section) 

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Examples of target list

Video timestamps

 00:30 Targets section 
00:35
01:29
02:56		 Adding sidereal targets (one by one) 
Adding non-sidereal targets (one by one) 
Importing target list
 04:05 Observations section
04:26
05:03
05:32
06:05		 Weather conditions 
Resource (instrument and set-up)
Including targets 
Setting requested time
08:09
09:40
11:38		 Checking guide star, visibility and archive duplicates
Preparing more than one weather condition or resource
Export targets into a file

Band 3 Section

The Time Allocations Committees will first see if your proposal can be given a Band 1 or a Band 2 program. If the result comes negative, your program may be considered for Band 3.

If your project contains observations that can be taken under relaxed weather conditions (e.g., IQ85% and/or CC85%), that have a R.A. coordinates that are not the most popular and you have no constraints on the scheduling, you can prepare them under the Band 3 section.

Video tutorial: How to prepare Band 3 observations (or read about the section)

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Video timestamps

00:11
01:04
01:26		 What makes a good Band 3 proposal
Enabling Band 3 option
Preparing Band 3 targets 
01:43
01:58
02:21		 Copy and paste from the Observations section 
Relaxing the weather conditions 
Increasing the exposure time

Scheduling and Time Requests Sections

The Scheduling and the Time Requests sections are accessible through tabs visible uner the same pane where the Overview section is.

The Scheduling section is used to communicate any releavant information to the Time Allocation Committees about the timing constraints for your targets. It can be specific times when an event is expected, useful information about a non-siderial target, constraints on a classical observer availability, etc.

The Time Requests section is used to determine which TAC(s) to send the proposal to, and how much time to each TAC is requested. 

Video tutorial: How to enter the requested time, and how to give schedule constraints (or read about the Time Request and the Scheduling sections)

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Video timestamps

 00:25 Time Requests section
00:33
02:18
04:40
04:56		 Proposal class (Classical, Fast turnaround, ...)
Request for Band 3 time 
ToO status 
Request type (Partner vs Exchange)
05:22
06:40		 Filling requested time
Scheduling constraints

Submit Section

The Submit section tells if a proposal is ready to submit. If it is not, please refer to the Problem section to see what remains to be fixed. Once everything is in order, the "Submit this Proposal" becomes available.

Video tutorial: How to submit the proposal (or read about the section) 

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Video timestamps

00:15
00:25
00:53
01:09		 Submit section
What to do if there still are errors 
Submit!
Reuse proposal