Science Operations Announcements
Feedback requested on new proposal/observation tools
Gemini North January NIFS and laser access cancelled
The repair of the Gemini North laser system is proceeding but insufficient progress has been made to offer the laser this month. Because all but one NIFS program requires the laser, this also means we will not be doing the NIFS/NIRI swap this month, as previously planned. NIRI will remain on the telescope and NIFS will not be available. We remain optimistic that we will be on-line for the planned February NIFS+LGS run. Updates will be posted.
Delay to Gemini North NIFS Laser Run
The Gemini North laser system has developed a hardware fault. We are working on a repair which is proceeding quite well but the final prognosis is still not known. January's NIFS+LGS run is delayed and shortened, and may even have to be cancelled. We are optimistic that we will be on-line for the planned February NIFS+LGS run. Updates will be posted.
New Phase II deadline for Gemini-South programs
Due to problems with access to the Gemini-South Observing Database the deadline for competion of Phase II for Gemini-S programs for semester 2017A has been extended to January 20th, 2017.
2017A Programs and Schedule Announced
The Gemini 2017A observing programs have now been announced. Notification emails to successful PIs were sent today, December 15 2016. Please check the schedules page for more information. Note that the new Observing Tool must be used to access and update 17A programs.
2017A OT Released
The 2017A 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.
GN Observing Database Offline
The Gemini North Observing Database is currently offline due to a power outage. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. Please check this site for further announcements.
11:30am HST - The GN ODB is back online. Please submit a Help Desk ticket if you encounter any problems.
2017A Observing Tool Released
The 2017A 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 Dec 6
The Gemini observing databases will be offline for several hours on Tuesday December 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 2017A Observing Tool should be available on Wednesday December 7 and will be required to access the observing databases.
Please check this site for further announcements.