An updated to the 2014A Observing Tool (2014A.1.2.5) has been released and is available from the downloads site. This is an optional but recommended update.  This version fixes several memory leaks and so improves performance and stability, especially when working with large programs. Be sure to sync local changes or save programs to XML before updating. You will have to reenter authentication keys.

The Gemini North Observing Database will be offline for ~1 hour for hardware maintenance starting at ~10am HST on January 9. During this time Observing Tool synchronizations and file transfers will be unavailable. Please check this site for further announcements.

UPDATE @ 12:00 HST Jan 9: Work is ongoing due to a failure of a critical component. We do not yet have an estimated completion time.

UPDATE @ 14:30 HST Jan 9: Spare parts are being delivered and we expect the database to be back online by 17:00 HST.

The 2014A version of the Gemini Observing Tool is now available for download.

This is a required update which includes significant changes. Please see the quick-start guide in the download directory and the "Getting Started" video tutorial.

We recommend that everyone download their programs from scratch from the ODBs rather than import from XML.

We have updated the Gemini Observing Databases in preparation for the upcoming 2014A semester. The 2013B Observing Tool is not compatible with the new database, and we are currently working on resolving several small issues with the new 2014A OT which should be available on Monday December 9. Please see the OT installation web page if you would like a pre-release version of the 2014A OT:

The Gemini observing databases will be offline for several hours on Tuesday December 3 while we perform quarterly software updates. During this time Observing Tool access and file transfers will be unavailable, and web report forms will be offline. The new 2014A Observing Tool should be available on Wednesday December 4 and will be required to access the observing databases. Please check this site for further announcements.

We have received reports of the PIT freezing on startup on older versions of Mac OSX, and we are working to resolve the issue. We recommend that anybody who is planning on submitting 2014A proposals install and test the PIT as soon as possible. If you have any problems please submit a HelpDesk ticket at http://helpdesk.gemini.edu.

We have discovered that this problem is caused by a bug in Java version 1.6.0_51-b11-456-11M4508 and can be resolved by downloading the patched Java from apple.