Science Operations Announcements

Following some collaboration with the "IRAF Community" project earlier this year, we are pleased to make available PyRAF 2.2.1, the first version to pass all our testing on Python 3. This runs roughly as fast as the Python 2 version, thanks to improvements by Ole Streicher.

This version is already included on the new IRAF VM for Apple machines (see yesterday's announcement). On Linux, it can be installed by specifying "python=3.7" instead of "python=2.7" in the "conda create" command -- see:

A new virtual machine implementation for running IRAF on MacOS 10.14+ is now available. You can find updated instructions at:

https://gemini-iraf-vm-tutorial.readthedocs.io

Gemini South telescope has resumed nighttime operations, after having remained closed due to bad winter weather. Only IGRINS and Zorro are available, and the scheduled telescope shutdown will start next Monday, August 01.

Gemini South telescope has remained closed the entire past week after heavy snowfall over Pachon. The large quantity of snow accumulated over the summit during the two events between July 9 and July 15 prevented the telescope from being open, with large accumulation of snow and ice on the roads as well.  Additionally, commercial power was lost and its return is expected sometime during this week, although there is still no certainty about that.

Gemini South Telescope will remain closed through at least July 25th due to a large accumulation of snow and ice on the dome and roads.   It is uncertain when the roads will be passable and a crew can travel to the summit to begin clearing the large amount of accumulated snow on the dome.  Additionally, commercial power was lost and its return is also not expected until after the roads are cleared.

A patch release of DRAGONS, v3.0.3, is now available.  DRAGOSN v3.0.3 is a patch release that offers an automated handling of the GMOS-S amplifier #5 that failed in January.  The patch also includes a few other bug fixes.

If you already have DRAGONS v3.0 installed, a simple "conda install dragons=3.0.3" will update the package.  For further instructions and details, see /observing/phase-iii/reducing-data.