There is no specific order required to fill the different sections. Yet, you can find below a series of videos and documentation that suggest a proper way to prepare a Gemini proposal using PIT.

NOTE that links in the text below lead to a separate page (PIT components) with details on the different sections and elements. Also, all the videos can be viewed from a single playlist.

While the basic process depicted in the videos is correct, some details have changed. See the PIT Description for the latest information.

If anything remains unclear, please contact the help desk (you can also email us at sus_inquiries@gemini.edu, but this address will be deactivated on 9/1/23).

Overview Section

The Overview section, visible from the first time PIT is opened, contains the fields to enter:

1. The title,
2. The abstract (no more than 200 words, no LATeX),
3. The TAC Category
4. The Keywords
5. The PDF attachment
6. The names of the science team (PI and Co-Is)

Additional information can be found about the PDF Attachment.

Please find also details about the Menu Bar (at the top of PIT), and the Problems section (at the bottom of PIT). 

Video tutorial: How to use the Overview section, the menu bar and the Problems section (or read about the section). 

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Video timestamps

00:25 00:40 01:10 01:29 01:50 02:25 03:35 05:07

Menu bar Problems section Title and Abstract TAC category Keywords Attachment (including Science and Technical Justifications)  Entering PI and Co-I information Save your work

Observations and Targets Sections

The Observations section is the one that is up the first time PIT is opened. It contains all the details on:

1. The requested weather conditions
2. The instrument(s) and set-up required
3. The targets
4. The time requested per target

Video tutorial: How to prepare the targets list and the observations (or read about the section) 

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Examples of target list

Video timestamps

00:30

Targets section

00:35 01:29 02:56

Adding sidereal targets (one by one)  Adding non-sidereal targets (one by one)  Importing target list

04:05

Observations section

04:26 05:03 05:32 06:05

Weather conditions  Resource (instrument and set-up) Including targets  Setting requested time

08:09 09:40 11:38

Checking guide star, visibility and archive duplicates Preparing more than one weather condition or resource Export targets into a file

Band 3 Section

The Time Allocations Committees will first see if your proposal can be given a Band 1 or a Band 2 program. If the result comes negative, your program may be considered for Band 3.

If your project contains observations that can be taken under relaxed weather conditions (e.g., IQ85% and/or CC85%), that have a R.A. coordinates that are not the most popular and you have no constraints on the scheduling, you can prepare them under the Band 3 section.

Video tutorial: How to prepare Band 3 observations (or read about the section)

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Video timestamps

00:11 01:04 01:26

What makes a good Band 3 proposal Enabling Band 3 option Preparing Band 3 targets

01:43 01:58 02:21

Copy and paste from the Observations section  Relaxing the weather conditions  Increasing the exposure time

Scheduling and Time Requests Sections

The Scheduling and the Time Requests sections are accessible through tabs visible uner the same pane where the Overview section is.

The Scheduling section is used to communicate any releavant information to the Time Allocation Committees about the timing constraints for your targets. It can be specific times when an event is expected, useful information about a non-siderial target, constraints on a classical observer availability, etc.

The Time Requests section is used to determine which TAC(s) to send the proposal to, and how much time to each TAC is requested. 

Video tutorial: How to enter the requested time, and how to give schedule constraints (or read about the Time Request and the Scheduling sections)

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Video timestamps

00:25

Time Requests section

00:33 02:18 04:40 04:56

Proposal class (Classical, Fast turnaround, ...) Request for Band 3 time  ToO status  Request type (Partner vs Exchange)

05:22 06:40

Filling requested time Scheduling constraints

Submit Section

The Submit section tells if a proposal is ready to submit. If it is not, please refer to the Problem section to see what remains to be fixed. Once everything is in order, the "Submit this Proposal" becomes available.

Video tutorial: How to submit the proposal (or read about the section) 

Can't see well? Get to a full size video in a separate window.

Video timestamps

00:15 00:25 00:53 01:09

Submit section What to do if there still are errors  Submit! Reuse proposal