[ASA] Semester 2022A Call for Gemini GSAOI proposals **Opportunity for Australian astronomers**

[lucyna.chudczer at astronomyaustralia.org.au]

2022A Call for Gemini GSAOI Proposals

 

Proposals for GSAOI observations on the Gemini South telescope in Semester
2022A (1 February 2022 - 31 July 2022) are due by

 

*5:00pm AEDT, Tuesday 5 October 2021.*

 

 

In Semester 2022A the Australian astronomical community will have access to
the remaining 2 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 allowed some flexibility and will offer the
remaining observing time in 2022A. 

 

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 most likely that this
situation will not change in the 2022A 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 2022A release of the Phase I
Tool (PIT) that can be downloaded from: 

 <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/yEZhCXLW2mUXxZJy5f6PR0b?domain=software.gemini.edu>
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/yEZhCXLW2mUXxZJy5f6PR0b?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/GFqTCYW8NocLzX8J1iGaYCM?domain=gemini.edu> Help Page for the
Gemini Phase I Tool (PIT) | Gemini Observatory

 

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/C1aUCZY1Nqi53YGV4uKEhp_?domain=gemini.edu

 

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

 
<https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/WtKnC1WLPxcM7XRDzuXJevE?domain=gemini.edu
ll-proposals>
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/HlzfC2xMQzipNQjJls9SyDg?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/lVkFC3QNPBip5vBJAsvZ28a?domain=gemini.edu
res-noirlab> Coronavirus COVID-19 Measures at NOIRLab | Gemini Observatory

 

 

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/frQIC4QOPEiBpxoQ0tj8gcy?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au

 

 

Dr Lucyna Kedziora-Chudczer | Program Manager

ATAC Technical Secretary
Astronomy Australia Ltd (Sydney Office)

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

 <https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/yB7JC5QPXJiZV1vQjilMdvb?domain=astronomyaustralia.org.au>
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/yB7JC5QPXJiZV1vQjilMdvb?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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