Managing the unexpected complexities of a remotely operated, multi-hemisphere, international observatory: Gemini queue, commissioning, ToOs, lasers, and more

Atsuko Nitta; Andrew W. Stephens; Andy Adamson; S. J. Kleinman; Bryan W. Miller; Kathleen Labrie; Marie Lemoine-Busserolle; Joanna Thomas-Osip; André-Nicolas Chené; Paul Hirst; Fredrik Rantakyrö; Andrew Serio

doi:10.1117/12.3019390

25 July 2024 Managing the unexpected complexities of a remotely operated, multi-hemisphere, international observatory: Gemini queue, commissioning, ToOs, lasers, and more

Atsuko Nitta, Andrew W. Stephens, Andy Adamson, S. J. Kleinman, Bryan W. Miller, Kathleen Labrie, Marie Lemoine-Busserolle, Joanna Thomas-Osip, André-Nicolas Chené, Paul Hirst, Fredrik Rantakyrö, Andrew Serio

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13098, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems X; 130981L (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019390
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

Gemini Observatory is a ground-based international observatory with 8.1 m telescopes in each hemisphere to provide all-sky coverage. We offer optical and IR imaging and spectroscopy. Laser adaptive optics systems provide near diffraction-limited image quality, taking advantage of our two excellent observing sites (Maunakea and Cerro Pachón). Each telescope keeps three of our larger suite of instruments mounted on the telescope at all times and switches between them routinely during the night. The nighttime operations are all conducted remotely from our base facilities located approximately one hour from the summits. Science Operations is responsible for the routine operation of the established instruments and is heavily involved in the commissioning phases of new instruments. We offer multiple avenues to request observing time (standard semester calls, annual calls for long and large programs, monthly calls for fast turnaround, and an always-available director’s discretionary time) and multiple ways to observe (classical, queue, eavesdropping). Here, we will describe our operation model — how we manage and meet the challenges of the nightly/daily science operations.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

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Atsuko Nitta, Andrew W. Stephens, Andy Adamson, S. J. Kleinman, Bryan W. Miller, Kathleen Labrie, Marie Lemoine-Busserolle, Joanna Thomas-Osip, André-Nicolas Chené, Paul Hirst, Fredrik Rantakyrö, and Andrew Serio "Managing the unexpected complexities of a remotely operated, multi-hemisphere, international observatory: Gemini queue, commissioning, ToOs, lasers, and more", Proc. SPIE 13098, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems X, 130981L (25 July 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019390

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