2010A OT released
December 4th, 2009
The 2010A Observing Tool (OT) is now available. This version is needed for 2010A Phase II preparation as well as for fetch/store of any programs in the observing databases.
Science Operations Announcements
Observing databases offline
November 27th, 2009
Gemini is updating the Observing Tool (OT) and the observing databases (ODBs) in preparation for the 2010A semester. As a result, the ODBs are currently offline for fetch/store. Testing is ongoing and a new OT will be released soon, please monitor this site for additional announcements.
As announced, the 2010A OT will be using Java 6 instead of Java 5. This has implications for older Mac computers. Please see this announcement for more information.
OT and PIT planning update to Java 6
November 10th, 2009
For many years the Gemini Observing Tool (OT) and Phase I Tool (PIT) have been using version 1.5 of the Java language. Java 1.5 has now reached the end of its official service life (see java.sun.com). In order to take advantage of many bug fixes and new features Gemini is planning to move these applications to the current version of Java (version 1.6 or Java 6) starting with the December 2009 OT.
2009B required OT update available
September 23rd, 2009
The September database maintenance has been completed and an updated OT (2009B.2.1.1) is available from the OT installation page. This is a required update since the database is not compatible with previous versions. All 2009B PIs as well as PIs of active 2008B and 2009A roll-over programs will need to upgrade. Changes from the previous version are given in the release notes.
Interruptions to Observing Database access
September 22nd, 2009
The Gemini Observing Databases will be offline for maintenance at the following times during the week of September 21:
September 22: 10:00--12:00 HST - Gemini North
September 23: 08:00--13:00 HST - Gemini North
September 24: 09:00--13:00 CST - Gemini South (note that the telescope is in engineering shutdown)
2011B call for proposals announced
August 28th, 2010
Gemini is now accepting proposals for observing time in Semester 2011B. The proposal deadline is March 31, 2011. A new version of the Phase I Tool (PIT) has been released to support proposal submissions.
2011B PIT released
August 26th, 2010
The Phase I Tool (PIT) for semester 2011B observing proposals has been released. This should also be used for poor weather and director's time proposals during the remainder of semester 2011A.
2009B OT update available
August 16th, 2009
The August 17 maintenance has been completed and an updated OT (2009B.1.1.3) is available from the OT installation page or using the OT auto-update. Fetch/store and TOO triggering will also continue to work using the previous version of the OT (2009B.1.1.2) but we recommend the update. Changes from the previous version are given in the release notes.
Observing databases offline August 17
August 14th, 2009
The observing databases will be offline for maintenance during the morning hours at each site on Monday, August 17. Fetch/store and TOO triggering will not be functional during these periods. Please check this site for further announcements. An optional OT update will be available when the maintenance is finished.
NIRI Available for Science Observations
August 14th, 2009