The repair of the Gemini North laser system is proceeding but insufficient progress has been made to offer the laser this month. Because all but one NIFS program requires the laser, this also means we will not be doing the NIFS/NIRI swap this month, as previously planned. NIRI will remain on the telescope and NIFS will not be available. We remain optimistic that we will be on-line for the planned February NIFS+LGS run. Updates will be posted.

The Gemini North laser system has developed a hardware fault. We are working on a repair which is proceeding quite well but the final prognosis is still not known. January's NIFS+LGS run is delayed and shortened, and may even have to be cancelled. We are optimistic that we will be on-line for the planned February NIFS+LGS run. Updates will be posted.

The Gemini 2017A observing programs have now been announced. Notification emails to successful PIs were sent today, December 15 2016. Please check the schedules page for more information. Note that the new Observing Tool must be used to access and update 17A programs.

The 2017A Gemini Observing Tool is now available for download. This update is required to access the Gemini Observing Databases.

The Installation Instructions are linked off of the Observing Tool web page, and we recommend that everyone download their programs from the databases rather than import from saved XMLs.