A solution has been found to the problems with the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System ’ s Natural Guide Star Wavefront Sensor , and the remedy is well on its way . The Gemini South Laser Guide Star Facility is preparing for its Acceptance Testing in January 2017 . Issues with the as-delivered hardware for the new Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph ( GMOS ) CCDs for Gemini North have been corrected , and the CCDs should be installed on schedule in February 2017 . And the Gemini Highresolution Optical SpecTrograph ( GHOST ) nears the midpoint of the GHOST project build phase .
Gemini staff contributions
On the Horizon
A solution has been found to the problems with the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System ’ s Natural Guide Star Wavefront Sensor , and the remedy is well on its way . The Gemini South Laser Guide Star Facility is preparing for its Acceptance Testing in January 2017 . Issues with the as-delivered hardware for the new Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph ( GMOS ) CCDs for Gemini North have been corrected , and the CCDs should be installed on schedule in February 2017 . And the Gemini Highresolution Optical SpecTrograph ( GHOST ) nears the midpoint of the GHOST project build phase .
GeMS ’ Next Generation Natural Guide Star Sensor : Making Progress
GeMS , the Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System deployed at Gemini-South , has been in use for several years now , producing spectacular results with its capability to deliver diffraction-limited image quality over a field more than 1 arcminute wide . To achieve this performance GeMS uses five laser guide stars for high-order wavefront sensing , and up to three natural guide stars ( NGS ) for tip-tilt and plate scale modes sensing . However , operation of GeMS is rather complex , principally due to technical issues . Recent technological developments have opened the possibility to improve the operational efficiency drastically ( for instance , see page 17 of this issue to read about the new laser system being procured ). Here we report on developments to enhance the selection and performance of natural guide star tip-tilt sensing .
A key problem encountered in GeMS operation revolves around the acquisition of natural guide stars . The existing Natural Guide Star Wavefront Sensor ( NGS WFS ) used for tiptilt sensing suffers from low throughput , which severely reduces the number of stars that can be acquired , thereby diminishing the amount of sky coverage attainable by GeMS . Furthermore , the existing NGS WFS system uses three mechanical pickup probes , each of
January 2017 GeminiFocus
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