In the meantime, there is significant news on
the three powerful new instruments at Gemini South. The following sections highlight
each of these new tools for our user community, tools which will provide a solid foundation for Gemini’s scientific potential for many
years to come.
— Scot Kleinman
FLAMINOGS-2 (F2) On Sky,
Doing Science
“Gemini Observatory’s latest tool for astronomers, a second-generation infrared instrument called FLAMINGOS-2, has ‘traveled a
long road’ to begin science observations for
the Gemini scientific community.” So begins
the early August press release (www.gemini.
edu/node/12047) showcasing several spectacular F2 on-sky commissioning images
and giving an update on the commissioning
progress. As this issue of GeminiFocus goes
to press, we can report that science observations have begun!
The first preliminary science queue data
were obtained July 19th, and regular queue
observations began in late September. Fifteen queue programs were accepted for execution in 2013B, and Gemini staff have been
working closely with the Principal Investigators to prepare their observations for execution. As the data begin to come in during
this “shared risk” semester, the Observatory
encourages PIs to take an early, and critical,
look at them — your data — and provide
feedback via your Gemini Contact Scientist.
Despite this exci [