GeminiFocus May 2014 | Page 13

Stephen Goodsell, André-Nicolas Chené, and Scot Kleinman Instrument Development Update Gemini’s optical spectroscopic program is rapidly advancing with both the Gemini High-resolution Optical Spectrograph (GHOS) and Gemini Remote Access to CFHT ESPaDOnS (GRACES) making significant strides. The Gemini Planet Imager is now poised for scientific operations, and ongoing work is extending the capabilities of our Gemini Multi-Object Spectrographs. The following highlights summarize recent progress in these important future capabilities. The Gemini High-resolution Optical Spectrograph The Gemini High-resolution Optical Spectrograph (GHOS) post-conceptual-design contracts are now approved by the Gemini Board, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), thus starting the Preliminary Design Stage for this long-awaited project. This allows us to proceed quickly into a team kickoff meeting with representatives from Gemini, the Anglo-Australian Observatory, National Research Council of Canada-Herzberg, and Australian National University. The remainder of the project should take about four years to complete. GRACES: A Gemini and CFHT Partnership in Spectroscopy Leaps Forward Gemini Observatory, the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), and the National Research Council (NRC) Herzberg in Canada have formed an innovative partnership on a project that is progressing rapidly. Called GRACES (Gemini Remote Access to CFHT ESPaDOnS Spectrograph), this exciting initiative hopes to prove our ability to provide a powerful new tool for high-resolution optical spectroscopy at Gemini. April 2014 GeminiFocus 11