Contributions by Gemini staff
On the Horizon
AURA will announce its vendor selection for the New Gemini South
laser in early 2016. Delivery of the upgraded Natural Guide Star New
Generation Sensor is also expected in 2016. GHOST is undergoing
Critical Design Review, the arrival of its engineering-grade CCDs are
imminent, and the Gemini Board has decided to locate GHOST at
Gemini South. Four outstanding studies on the Gen4#3 instrument
have been completed; final reports are now available for reading.
And Small Project proposals for existing instrument upgrades are
now being evaluated.
Vendor Quotes Received for New Gemini South Laser
On October 2nd, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy issued a request
for quotes (which were due in early December) for a new laser at Gemini South. The quotes
are now in, and we intend to announce vendor selection in early 2016 — after approval by the
National Science Foundation. The new laser will dramatically improve the reliability of the
Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System (GeMS) at Gemini South. It should also allow
us to reduce staff efforts in the daytime, prior to laser runs, and at nighttime, during laser runs.
Contract Signed for Natural Guide Star Sensor Upgrade
The Australian National University and the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy have signed a contract for the Natural Guide Star New Generation Sensor (NGS2)
and begun its design and construction; we expect delivery in 2016. The NGS2 upgrade will
allow the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System (GeMS) at Gemini South to utilize guide stars four times (1.5 magnitudes) fainter than the current system.
Figure 1 shows the percentage of sky coverage versus Galactic latitude after the NGS2
upgrad R