As Gemini South resumed nighttime operation, GMOS-S was checked out during last weekend and started operating in queue mode. To be noted is that the CCD1 CTE problem reported on Jan10, 2020 is still present, meaning that programs using the N&S mode for spectroscopy are potentialliy affected, as well as IFU programs. These programs will remain on hold, with the exception of programs where this issue has no impact on the science (e.g. region of interest outside of CCD1)

GMOS-N data taken between the nights of 31 August 2020 and 8 September 2020 show a new flat field feature from dust in the optics, as marked in the image below. A preliminary cleaning of the accessible GMOS optics performed during daytime on 3 September 2020 was not successful in removing the new dust feature and the overall effects were found to be negligible.

Gemini North is accepting proposals for the Fast Turnaround (FT) program. We are not yet accepting proposals for Gemini South. Here, we give information specific to this proposal cycle. Please see the other FT pages - particularly the rules - for general information about the program. FT-specific proposal templates must now be used for all FT proposals; see the "PIT information" section below.

As Gemini South is closed for operations from last Monday due to the Covid-19 outbreak (see https://www.gemini.edu/news/gemini-south-shutdown-until-further-notice), GMOS-S has been warmed up and switched off. This shutdown will last until further notice

After the short thermal cycle on Dec 18, 2019 to replace the coldhead's displacer, the charge smearing in GMOS-S CCD1 has re-appeared as shown in the screenshot of the N&S dark from April 2019. Any programs using the N&S mode are affected and the programs set up with IFU-2 or IFU-R observations are possibly affected by this as well. PIs of those programs are contacted to assess the impact on their data quality and the programs are set on hold. A controlled thermal cycle is scheduled to resolve the issue at the end of January.

Sep 16, 2019

New GMOS-N B600 Grating Available

A new B600 grating has been commissioned and is available for science use in GMOS-N. This grating replaces the original B600 grating which was damaged in December 2008. Active programs that are configured to use the original B600 grating will automatically use this new grating for any new observations executed.