GeminiFocus 2014 Year in Review | Page 47

Additional information can be found on the GRACES webpage here . GIFS Moves Ahead The Gemini Instrument Feasibility Study (GIFS) proposal deadline passed on December 15th with eight proposals received. GIFS will provide science cases and instrument ideas that could be used for the next facility instrument (Gen4#3). Gemini will now evaluate the proposals for selection in January, 2015. There’s still time, however, to provide input for Gen4#3 at the Gemini Future and Science meeting in June (see page 58). The latest information on GIFS can be viewed here. GHOST Materializing During the third week of December 2014, the Gemini High-resolution Optical SpecTrograph (GHOST) project held its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in Hilo, Hawai’i (Figure 2). Attending were the Review Committee and several members from the partnership: Gemini Observatory, Australian Astronomical Observatory, Australian National University, and Canada’s National Research Council–Herzberg. The PDR Committee was pleased to see the progress achieved, acknowledging the ex- January 2015 traordinary effort of the GHOST team in achieving the PDR’s passage and has recommended that the project proceed into the Critical Design Stage. The Committee also made numerous recommendations to help the team ensure success. Watch for future updates as the Critical Design Review approaches by the end of 2015; we still plan on bringing GHOST to one of the Gemini telescopes in 2017, though which one has yet to be determined. Laser Guide Star Facility (LGSF) Upgrade: Next Generation Laser Guide Star for Gemini South Given reliability issues experienced with the existing laser guide star system at Gemini South, Gemini is investigating procuring a new laser. The current generation of laser systems are much more reliable than our existing laser, which is difficult to maintain at full power, making its use operationally both costly and technically challenging. Figure 2. The GHOST team (consisting of members from AAO, NRC-H, ANU, and Gemini) successfully passed their Preliminary Design Stage Review at Gemini North Hilo headquarters on Wednesday. A team of dedicated experts, external and internal to Gemini, supported the review and made some very good suggestions to help keep the project on track. The entire team was happy and relieved on completion of this major project milestone. In early 2015, we will explore the feasibility of integrating a current generation laser with the rest of our laser guide star system. If this integration is feasible and the new solution meets our power, reliability, delivery time, and cost requirements, we will strongly consider moving forward with procurement. 2014 Year in Review GeminiFocus 45