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Gemini e-Newscast #57
March 21, 2014
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Extreme Star Formation (and a Galaxy Cluster’s Violent Environment)
The high star formation rate of the central galaxy of the Phoenix cluster (around 800 MSun/year) is fed by the flow of cold, dense gas in the cluster. Evidence for shocks, an active galactic nucleus, and the outflow of ionized material appear in new observations obtained using the integral field unit of the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph at Gemini South. The total luminosity in Hα alone approaches 1044 erg/second, and the large velocity dispersion (variations in the velocities of material) suggests a turbulent environment. The current observed rate of star formation cannot be sustained, considering the mass of the reservoir of cold gas available to form stars. The authors of the new work, led by Michael McDonald (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), suggest that the probability of observing another similar short-lived intense phase of activity in any cluster is less than 1%. Complete results are published in The Astrophysical Journal.
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The central galaxy of the Phoenix cluster in Hβ. The central continuum peak (the dust-obscured active galactic nucleus) is marked with a white cross. A loop of emission north of the central source (toward the top of the image) is evident, along with filaments that extend toward the south (toward the bottom).
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GPI Early Science Programs Announced
The recent call for Early Science programs using the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) saw a solid response from our user community, with nearly 30 proposals submitted that cover a wide range of observing modes. The 16 programs approved for observations in April 2014 are listed at
http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/gpi/gpi-early-science?q=node/12191. The Early Science observations will have a 2-month proprietary period, and proposers are required to provide feedback to Gemini about the end-to-end observing process as well as an assessment of the data they obtained. GPI is available for regular use at Gemini South in the 2014B semester.
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“Bring One, Get One” Observing Opportunity
Gemini Observatory and our Users’ Committee encourage visiting students and other early-career scientists to participate in observing runs. To support this effort, Gemini will subsidize, with up to US$2000, the travel expenses of individual students visiting Gemini North or South, when accompanying a senior visiting observer. Consider applying for classical observing time with your upcoming proposals and plan to bring your student collaborator on your scheduled run. Please contact the Deputy Director and Head of Science, Nancy Levenson, if you would like to take advantage of this opportunity.
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Semester 2014B Proposals Due Soon
The 2014B call for proposals is posted, http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-gemini/2014b-call-proposals.
Proposal deadlines vary with partner, ranging from Monday, March 31, to Tuesday, April 1.
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Engaging our Local Communities
Sharing the thrill of Gemini’s discoveries with our local communities in Hawai‘i and Chile reached another high point during the first half of March. The 10th anniversary of Journey Through the Universe week in Hawai‘i and the eighth celebration of AstroDay Chile in La Serena touched thousands of local students and residents, bringing everyone along for the excitement of our cosmic explorations.
Learn more about the Journey Through the Universe program at http://www.gemini.edu/journey and see this local newspaper story on AstroDay Chile (in Spanish) at http://diarioeldia.cl/articulo/entretencion/astroday-maravillas-cielo-al-alcance-manos.
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Gemini North scientist André-Nicolas Chené explains the size of Jupiter to kindergartners at a local Hilo elementary school during his Journey Through the Universe classroom program.
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Gemini South’s Pedro Gigoux answers questions from students and families at the 2014 AstroDay Chile evening event in La Serena.
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