Oral Presentation Astronomical Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting including HWWS 2013

New Opportunities with the Gemini Observatory (#61)

Markus Kissler-Patig 1
  1. Gemini Observatory, Hilo, HI, United States

Observatory's new director, Markus Kissler-Patig, will present an update of the facility and introduce some new opportunities for astronomers at Gemini. Gemini operates twin 8-m telescopes, one in Hawaii and the other in Chile. The departure of the UK from Gemini's international partnership at the end of 2012 provided the chance to re-evaluate the services offered to Gemini users and opened new opportunities in two domains. First, Gemini will welcome discussions with groups wanting to bring their instruments for campaigns. This visiting instrument program will complement the suite of workhorse instruments offered by the Observatory, and will allow scientific breakthroughs not possible with the regular suite of instruments. Second, the Gemini Observatory is exploring cross-partnership large or long programs. Gemini is considering dedicating 20% of Gemini time to high-impact large or long collaborative programs selected through a yearly call. In addition to these two major initiatives, several new instruments are expected in 2013: Flamingos-2, the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System (GeMS), and the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI). Gemini and its Users Committee are also examining the possibility of offering some fraction of time in a fast turn around mode, as well as "eavesdropping" for remote observing. We remain very interested in having astronomers visit the telescopes.  We encourage all astronomers to come to this presentation to learn about these new opportunities, and to provide feedback how the Gemini Observatory can optimally support your research.