Science Operations Announcements

A power cut due to a snowstorm on Cerro Pachon on July 12, 2015 has caused most of the computer infrastructure, including the observing database (ODB), at Gemini South to be shut down.  The system will be restored as soon as a crew can reach the summit, but the road is currently impassable. Therefore, until further notice all Gemini South ODB services including program sync, guide star and image catalog queries, ITC calculations, key requests, and file attachment access will be unavailable. 

An updated version of the 2015B Gemini Observing Tool is now available for download. A 2015B version is required to communicate with the Observing Databases, and the updated 2015B.1.1.2 version is strongly recommended as it fixes several bugs which were found in the initial release.

The 2015B Gemini Observing Tool is now available for download. This update is required to access the Gemini Observing Databases.

Note that several bugs have been found and we will release an updated version in the next few days.

The Gemini observing databases will be offline for several hours on Tuesday June 2 while we perform quarterly software updates.

During this time the following services will be unavailable:

• Observing Tool synchronizations, file transfers, and non-sidereal target queries
• CADC program key validation
• Phase I Tool guide star probability queries

The Gemini South observing database will be offline starting on either March 27 or 28 due to the shutdown resulting from the recent Chilean rainstorms. It is currently not known when the database will be back online. Please check the Gemini web site for further announcements. While the database is offline Gemini South users will not be able to sync programs or transfer files with the Observing Tool. Also, the Gemini South DSS image server will not be available.

The Gemini observing databases will be offline briefly on Wednesday February 11 for software updates. A new 2015A Observing Tool will be available after the update and is recommended for all users. Please check this site for further announcements.