2018A Phase I Tool released
August 31st, 2017
The 2018A Phase I Tool (PIT) has been released in support of the 2018A call for proposals.
Science Operations Announcements
Gemini North in scheduled shutdown until August 25
July 10th, 2017
Gemini North as of July 10 2017 is in a scheduled shutdown for dome shutter repair and instrument maintenance. The shutdown is planned to be completed by August 25 2017.
2017B Programs and Schedule Announced
June 15th, 2017
The Gemini 2017B observing programs have now been announced. Notification emails to successful PIs were sent today, June 15 2017. Please check the schedules page for more information. Note that the new Observing Tool must be used to access and update 17B programs.
2017B OT Released
June 8th, 2017
The 2017B Gemini Observing Tool is now available for download. This update is required to access the Gemini Observing Databases.
The Installation Instructions are linked off of the Observing Tool web page, and we recommend that everyone download their programs from the databases rather than import from saved XMLs.
Observing databases offline June 6
June 3rd, 2017
The Gemini observing databases will be offline for several hours on Tuesday June 6 while we perform software updates.
During this time the following services will be unavailable:
- Observing Tool synchronizations, file transfers, and non-sidereal target queries
- Phase I Tool guide star probability queries
The new 2017B Observing Tool should be available on Wednesday June 7 and will be required to access the observing databases.
Please check this site for further announcements.
Gemini South Observing Database offline May-30
May 29th, 2017
The Gemini South Observing Database will be offline 2017-May-30 from approximately 9:40 AM - 2:00 PM CST while work is done on the network infrastructure.
Astroconda now recommended for Gemini users, in place of Ureka
May 24th, 2017
Gemini South Observing Database offline May-25
May 24th, 2017
The Gemini South Observing Database will be offline 2017-May-25 from approximately 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM CST while work is done on the network infrastructure.
Gemini South closed due to very bad weather
May 19th, 2017
Update May 27th
Telescope is now back in operation after the snow and ice being removed from the dome.
Update May 26th
The poor weather has continued and impeded science operations. The conditions are now improving and a special team will travel to the summit on Satirday the 27th to clean the dome from ice and snow, and if all goes well we will be able to open on Saturday the 27th.
Update May 19th
GS observing database not accessible due to network failure
April 27th, 2017
The Gemini South observing database is not accessible as of 9:00am on April 27, 2017 due to a network hardware failure at CTIO. Repair work is ongoing but there is currently no estimate of when this will be repaired. This will prevent program sync and auxiliary file transfers. This announcement will be updated as we learn more.
Update April 28: The network link has been restored but communication with the observing database may be unreliable.