Past and future evolution of Gemini operations

S. Margheim; A. Adamson; A. Nitta; S. Leggett; R. Rutten; B. Miller; I. Jørgensen; M. Andersen

doi:10.1117/12.2313806

10 July 2018 Past and future evolution of Gemini operations

S. Margheim, A. Adamson, A. Nitta, S. Leggett, R. Rutten, B. Miller, I. Jørgensen, M. Andersen

Proceedings Volume 10704, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VII; 107041P (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2313806
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2018, Austin, Texas, United States

Abstract

We review the multiple changes in Gemini Observatory operations over the past decade, and discuss their effect on scientific productivity. The initial mix of queue and classical programs, allocated by Partner-based Time Allocation Committees (TACs), has evolved to include “Large and Long” programs allocated from a pool by a dedicated TAC, a popular “Fast-turnaround” mode allocated by a novel “proposer review” system, and we are now receiving increasing numbers of visiting instruments, scheduled in blocks. Observations are carried out in queue (service), classical (visitor), and priority visitor (visitors execute both their own observations and the queue) modes. Gemini is already an important facility for following up time-domain discoveries. Looking ahead, Gemini South will be partnered by LSST on Cerro Pachón and both Gemini telescopes will put a significant fraction of observing time into responding to the LSST alert stream; we review Gemini’s positioning to fulfil this role and anticipate additional changes in our operational model, user software and data reduction to accommodate it.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

S. Margheim, A. Adamson, A. Nitta, S. Leggett, R. Rutten, B. Miller, I. Jørgensen, and M. Andersen "Past and future evolution of Gemini operations", Proc. SPIE 10704, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems VII, 107041P (10 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2313806

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