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Gemini e-Newscast #55
January 17, 2014
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First Light from GPI
The first light images from the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) show a performance gain of nearly a factor of ten over the previous generation of instruments and demonstrate the GPI team’s excellent progress during commissioning so far. Image highlights below include the gas giant planet Beta Pictoris b and the dusty disk of HR4796A in polarized light. The milestone was featured at press conference at the January AAS meeting and received significant media coverage, see a listing of stories at geminipio.blogspot.com/, and the full press release is posted at www.gemini.edu/node/12113. The instrument team is preparing some of the commissioning data for public release, which is expected before the end of January. The first call for early science observations is expected in early February.
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(left) The planet Beta Pictoris b is evident in this GPI first light image, with the light from the star blocked by a mask. This image shows the H band; the science instrument delivers integral field spectroscopy across the entire field of view. (right) The dusty disk around HR4796A appears distinctly in polarized light.
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Gemini North Shutdown and Progress
The Gemini North telescope remains closed following the failure of the dome shutter mechanism. The large crane required for the repair will be in place at Mauna Kea today, and the work is scheduled to be complete by January 24. In the meantime, several tasks make use of the shutdown, including replacement of the cold heads on the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph at Gemini North (GMOS-North), live testing of the software and data handling system for the new GMOS CCDs that will be installed on GMOS-South, and optimization of the laser guide star system. Some more current detail is posted at www.gemini.edu/node/12115, and further updates will be provided through Gemini’s General Announcements page.
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Letters of Intent Required for Large and Long Programs by February 3
Each prospective proposer of a Large and Long Program at Gemini is required to submit a letter of intent. The deadline is February 3 for the current call, with observations to begin in semester 2014B. Complete information on the program, eligibility, and requirements, is posted with the announcement of opportunity at www.gemini.edu/node/12096. US-based proposers of survey and long-term programs that will use the Gemini telescopes should apply through this Gemini Large and Long Program process.
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