[ASA] Semester 2021B Call for Gemini GSAOI proposals **Unique opportunity for Australian astronomers**

[lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au]

2021B Call for Gemini GSAOI Proposals

 

Proposals for GSAOI observations on the Gemini South telescope in Semester
2021B (1 August 2021 - 31 January 2022) are due by

 

*5:00pm AEDT, Friday 2 April 2021.*

 

 

In Semester 2021B the Australian astronomical community will have access to
the remaining 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. This allocation was split between the 2020B and 2021A
semesters. However, due to the COVID pandemic and challenges associated with
it, the Gemini Observatory will offer the remaining observing time in 2021B.
All previously allocated proposals in this scheme, will be scheduled when
the laser observations are resumed.  The expectation is to have two or three
laser runs of 7 nights each during the semester, the actual schedule will be
based on the demand from the community.

 

All new 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 not clear that this situation
will change in the 2021B 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.

 

 

How to apply

 

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

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/5Mc2CVARKgCxL5J1XUGO1Yp?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/kFbRCWLVXkU5gPEvxHxi_gY?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/p3mMCXLW2mUXyqQ3GID1IBn?domain=gemini.edu
l-proposals/semester-2021b-instrument

 

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

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/p3mMCXLW2mUXyqQ3GID1IBn?domain=gemini.edu
l-proposals

 

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

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/1xwyCYW8NocLJN7PgHVB_p8?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/cJpaCZY1Nqi5VD6yxHxYwcj?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au

 

 

Dr Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer | Program Manager

ATAC Technical Secretary
Astronomy Australia Ltd (Sydney Office)

P: +61 2 9372 4842
E:  <mailto:lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au>
lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au 

 <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/q5ZAC1WLPxcMDk4KOf1AA0m?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au>
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/q5ZAC1WLPxcMDk4KOf1AA0m?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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