The Strategic Scientific Plan also outlines
Gemini’s ambition to replace the Gemini
North secondary mirror with an adaptive sec-
ondary mirror in order to enable ground-layer
adaptive optics. Time-domain science will be
supported not only by improved operations,
but also with new Python-based data reduc-
tion packages (DRAGONS) and the availability
of SCORPIO — the facility 8-channel imager/
spectrograph being developed by PI Massimo
Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute),
Southwest Research Institute, the Spanish pri-
vate technological company FRACTAL, and
Johns Hopkins University. Finally, the Strategic
Scientific Plan advocates for continued sup-
port for high-demand, high-impact visiting
instruments as a cost-effective way to provide
new instrumentation.
Looking forward to the coming months, Gem-
ini users can expect a number of new (and re-
turning) capabilities at both telescopes. ZOR-
RO was successfully commissioned on Gemini
South in May/June, and will be offered as a
visiting instrument during the 2020A semester
(see the article on ZORRO commissioning on
page 14 of this issue); this dual-channel optical
speckle imager (PI Steve Howell, NASA Ames)
July 2019
is the twin of ‘Alopeke at Gemini North. Also
in May, the initial tests for MAROON-X commis-
sioning at Gemini North went smoothly, and
final commissioning is planned. MAROON-X (PI
Jacob Bean, University of Chicago) is a visiting
instrument for high-resolution and high-stabil-
ity spectroscopy designed to detect Earth-size
planets in the habitable zones of mid- to late-M
dwarfs via radial velocity signatures.
Finally, Gemini users will be happy to hear
that negotiations are underway with KASI
and the University of Texas to bring the high-
resolution near-infrared spectrograph IGRINS
back to Gemini South as a visiting instrument
in 2020. Look for our 2020A Call for Proposals
in August for the full set of facility and visiting
instrument capabilities.
By the time this article is in press, I’ll have es-
caped the Tucson summer for an extended
visit to Hilo and a chance to meet the Gemini
Users’ Committee. Wishing all clear skies, like
we experienced during the July 2nd eclipse!
Jennifer Lotz is the Gemini Observatory Director.
She can be reached at: [email protected]
GeminiFocus
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