[ASA] Reminder - Semester 2021A Call for Gemini GSAOI proposals **Unique opportunity for Australian astronomers**

[Lucyna Chudczer]

2021A Call for Gemini GSAOI Proposals

 

 

In Semester 2021A the Australian astronomical community will have access to
4.5 nights of observing time with the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager
(GSAOI). This opportunity is a result of the agreement between AURA and the
ANU team that constructed the NGS2 enhancement to the Gemini South multi
conjugate adaptive optics system. The NGS2 system was commissioned in
October 2019 (see attached the article published in Gemini Focus).

 

The new NGS2 system allows the use of fainter guide stars - the previous
limit with the old system was R=15.5 in good conditions. During
commissioning the loop was closed on a R=18 star in average conditions. This
results in a huge improvement of the sky coverage for GeMS (2.5 magnitude is
approximately equivalent to a gain of 8 times in sky coverage). Acquisition
times have also been reduced by almost tenfold. 

 

The ANU team was awarded a total of 7 nights of guaranteed time, which they
have kindly offered to the Australian community via this open call for
proposals process. The total allocation was split between the 2020B and
2021A semesters. All proposals will be reviewed and assessed by ATAC. 

 

The observing time will be allocated in 'classical' mode, which means that
observations will be scheduled for specific nights. 

The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions prohibit international travel from
Australia and it is unlikely that this situation will change in the 2021A
Semester. The classical mode observations will be taken by the Gemini
Observatory staff, with remote assistance (control) from PI teams. The
Observatory has a good experience with such operations and will work with
the individual teams to ensure the best strategy for their observations and
the quick access to the raw data.

 

Proposals for GSAOI observations on the Gemini South telescope in Semester
2021A (1 February 2021 - 31 July 2021) are due by

 

*5:00pm AEST, Monday 6 October 2020.*

 

 

How to apply

 

Gemini proposals must be submitted using the 2021A release of the Phase I
Tool (PIT) that can be downloaded from: 

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/td-MCvl1rKin8XJktQIWDi?domain=software.gemini.edu

 

Please use the following page for a step-by-step guide and tutorials for
submission of proposals using the Phase I Tool: 

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/3-ppCwV1vMfExp5wtqmW7q?domain=gemini.edu
ol-pit/phase-i-tool-help  

Note that you need to select the "Guaranteed Time" option to submit you
proposal. See the image below.

 



 

For information about GSAOI and full details on instrument status, please
see:

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/HkMTCxngwOf5vOpWSYkNjV?domain=gemini.edu

 

as well as the official Gemini Observatory Call for Proposals at:

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/5LVACyojxQTPonGBHR2uhv?domain=gemini.edu
-proposals

 

For updates about the COVID-19 measures at the NOIRLab and Gemini South,
please see:

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/mQwFCzvkyVCYqLXjfoEYzk?domain=noirlab.edu

 

 

For more information contact the ATAC Secretariat:

 

Street Address:

AAO - Macquarie University
105 Delhi Rd, North Ryde NSW 2113
Australia

 

E-mail: aat at astronomyaustralia.org.au <mailto:aat at astronomyaustralia.org.au>

Web: https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/6mysCANpgjCKOYxDSMem4f?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au

 

 

Dr Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer
Program Manager

Astronomy Australia Ltd (Sydney Office)
E: lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au
<mailto:lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au>  
W:  <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/cEfdCBNqjlCXKoxLfv5l5z?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au>
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/cEfdCBNqjlCXKoxLfv5l5z?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au/




AAL is committed to equity and diversity and endeavours to create an
environment in which every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

 

 

 

 

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