tion on data reduction for all Gemini facility
instruments. Secretary) and Jen Miller (incoming Techni-
cal Secretary) — the ITAC met on June 4th to
generate a workable semester queue.
Maunakea Science Support
Group Assembles at Gemini
North It seems there is always something which
complicates to the process of taking the
results from all the participant’s TACs and
assembling a semester queue that is plau-
sibly executable (weather permitting). This
time the complication was provided by the
Gemini North laser (which is not yet ready
and could not be scheduled) and by a lack of
Band-3 programs; the latter problem proved
surmountable, and the iterations in the
meeting were reasonably quick.
On April 27th, about 30 members of the
Maunakea Science Support Group (open
to staff at all Big Island observatories) gath-
ered at Gemini North headquarters in Hilo
to share their science, exchange informa-
tion and ideas, and work together to solve
problems that could affect all observatories,
regardless of size or wavelength (Figure 19).
Attendees enjoyed talks that ranged from
science results to software projects, to in-
strument upgrades. They also participated in
discussion sessions that included how to en-
gage more with students in Hilo, and how to
help staff new to the islands find everything
they need to settle in and enjoy the beauti-
ful and unique community on the Big Island.
The National TACs forwarded a total of sev-
en programs aimed at following up LIGO/
VIRGO gravity wave events. At present, it
appears that LIGO will be back in operation
in January 2019, which could make that an
interesting month if the expected sensitivity
improvement is realized. All of the follow-up
programs were considered and top-ranked
by their respective national TACS. If a gravity
Figure 19.
Maunakea Science
Support Group members
preparing for the next
talk after a cookie break.
ITAC Outcomes for 2018B
After weeks of iterations between the Na-
tional Time Allocation Committee (NTAC)
Chairs and Gemini International Time Al-
location Committee (ITAC) staff — Rodrigo
Carrasco (Chair), Marie Lemoine-Busserolle
(incoming Chair), Lindsay Magill (Technical
January 2019 / 2018 Year in Review
wave event indeed happens in January, we
will doubtless need to break out the “Com-
petitive ToO” policy announced last year
(view here) and work with PIs to attempt to
maximize science outcomes. In the event
that agreements cannot be reached we will
fall back to the set of clearly-defined criteria
on the policy.
GeminiFocus
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