Pauline Barmby
Progress Report from the
Users’ Committee for Gemini
Recently, the Users’ Committee for Gemini met in Hilo, Hawai’i, and addressed
numerous issues and other tactical matters that influence our community.
The Users’ Committee for Gemini (UCG) represents Gemini users, giving them a voice at the
Observatory and providing advice on ”tactical” matters affecting them. Complementing this,
the Science & Technology Advisory Committee (STAC) covers longer-term, strategic decisions.
On October 18-19, 2012, the UCG held its first face-to-face meeting in La Serena, Chile (see
the December 2012 issue of GeminiFocus, page 43). It concentrated on assimilating results
from a user’s survey and formulating recommendations based on that feedback, our own
experiences, and data gathered from the Observatory. The results of the meeting were summarized in a report (and Gemini response), available on the Gemini webpage (www.gemini.
edu/node/11953). One key issue that surfaced during that meeting was that there needed to
be better communication between Gemini’s staff and its user community. In March 2013, the
UCG also held a teleconference to discuss and comment on possible changes to operations
proposed by Gemini.
We held the second face-to-face UCG meeting in Hilo, Hawai’i, August 25-27, 2013, which
included representatives from all of the Gemini partners. It focused on the changes the Observatory underwent after the withdrawal of the UK, initiatives of the new Director, and pertinent issues brought forth by Gemini users, such as timing and ease of completion for Phase 2
preparation and observation overheads. The Committee, which has added several members
to its original seven, visited the Gemini North telescope during nighttime operations to observe queue operations in action.
October2013
GeminiFocus 25