Technical Triumphs
Gemini also celebrated several technical
triumphs in 2017. In February, after a year of
preparation, we achieved a major milestone
with Base Facility Operations (BFO) officially
starting at Gemini South. BFO is now in full swing
at both sites (Chile and Hawai‘i): all observations
are carried out from our headquarters in La
Serena and Hilo, with no personnel present on
the mountain at night, significantly improving
our environmental stewardship (mostly due to
fewer trips up and down the mountains). We
also saw much forward progress in software
development that will benefit our us ers,
including new Gemini MOS Mask Preparation
Software, and a new GMOS WaveMapper. Also,
plans are now underway to upgrade the very
dated Observatory Control Software, on which
both Gemini and our users rely.
On the instrumentation side, in 2017, we
celebrated the selection of OCTOCAM as our
next facility-class instrument; this wide-band
(visible/near-infrared)
medium-resolution
spectrograph and imager will support a wide
range of science and take advantage of the
Large Synoptic Survey Telescope follow-
up opportunities. Beyond allowing spectral
studies over a broad wavelength range (ideal,
for instance, to determine photometric redshift
of distant galaxies and quasars), OCTOCAM will
also enable broadband timing studies, such as
reverberation mapping of X-ray binaries and
active galactic nuclei (AGN). While Gemini will
always rely on facility instruments, we also
have a long-admired, and popular, Visiting
Instrument Program that continued to grow
in 2017. One highlight is the visiting speckle
instrument ‘Alopeke on Gemini North which
has just recently completed commissioning by
Principal Investigator (PI) Steve Howell.
for the first time with the new TOPTICA
Phototronics laser. This was the first of several
important steps designed to restore GeMS to
its intended performance. As this issue goes to
press, the new TOPTICA laser for Gemini North
has arrived on Maunakea and preparations are
underway for its commissioning in 2018.
Closing on a High Note
Gemini prides itself in not only the excellent
research conducted by its PIs and their teams,
but also its public outreach departments in both
hemispheres. One significant achievement was
Gemini Observatory assistant scientist Meg
Schwamb being awarded the 2017 Carl Sagan
Medal for Excellence in Public Communication
in Planetary Science. Her efforts were aligned
with Gemini’s two outstanding and public
outreach programs — Journey Through the
Universe in Hawai‘i and Viaje al Universo in Chile
— whose combined programs bring scientists
and professionals from different observatories
into the classroom to motivate students into
pursuing future careers in science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM).
I’m proud to be a part of the Gemini community
and grateful for the opportunity to help
advance the Observatory’s mission: “Exploring
the Universe, Sharing its Wonders.”
Laura Ferrarese is the Gemini Observatory Interim
Director. She can be reached at: lferrarese@
gemini.edu
And finally, on October 26th, just as
‘Oumuamua was making its way through the
Solar System, staff at Gemini South propagated
the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics
System (GeMS) laser guide star constellation
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GeminiFocus
January 2018 / 2017 Year in Review