Additional information can be found on the
GRACES webpage here .
GIFS Moves Ahead
The Gemini Instrument Feasibility Study
(GIFS) proposal deadline passed on December 15th with eight proposals received. GIFS
will provide science cases and instrument
ideas that could be used for the next facility
instrument (Gen4#3). Gemini will now evaluate the proposals for selection in January,
2015. There’s still time, however, to provide input for Gen4#3 at the Gemini Future and Science meeting in June (see page 58). The latest
information on GIFS can be viewed here.
GHOST Materializing
During the third week of December 2014,
the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST) project held its Preliminary
Design Review (PDR) in Hilo, Hawai’i (Figure
2). Attending were the Review Committee
and several members from the partnership:
Gemini Observatory, Australian Astronomical Observatory, Australian National University, and Canada’s National Research Council–Herzberg.
The PDR Committee was pleased to see the
progress achieved, acknowledging the ex-
January 2015
traordinary effort of the GHOST team in
achieving the PDR’s passage and has recommended that the project proceed into the
Critical Design Stage. The Committee also
made numerous recommendations to help
the team ensure success. Watch for future
updates as the Critical Design Review approaches by the end of 2015; we still plan on
bringing GHOST to one of the Gemini telescopes in 2017, though which one has yet to
be determined.
Laser Guide Star Facility (LGSF)
Upgrade: Next Generation Laser
Guide Star for Gemini South
Given reliability issues experienced with the
existing laser guide star system at Gemini
South, Gemini is investigating procuring a
new laser. The current generation of laser
systems are much more reliable than our existing laser, which is difficult to maintain at
full power, making its use operationally both
costly and technically challenging.
Figure 2.
The GHOST team
(consisting of members
from AAO, NRC-H, ANU,
and Gemini) successfully
passed their Preliminary
Design Stage Review
at Gemini North Hilo
headquarters on
Wednesday. A team
of dedicated experts,
external and internal to
Gemini, supported the
review and made some
very good suggestions
to help keep the project
on track. The entire team
was happy and relieved
on completion of this
major project milestone.
In early 2015, we will explore the feasibility
of integrating a current generation laser with
the rest of our laser guide star system. If this
integration is feasible and the new solution
meets our power, reliability, delivery time,
and cost requirements, we will strongly consider moving forward with procurement.
2014 Year in Review
GeminiFocus
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