GeminiFocus January 2019 | Page 2

1 Director’s Message Jennifer Lotz 4 A Hunt for WEIRD Planets Frédérique Baron, Étienne Artigau, and David Lafrenière 8 Science Highlights John Blakeslee 13 On the Horizon Gemini staff contributions 18 News for Users Gemini staff contributions ON THE COVER: On-sky commissioning of the new Gemini North TOPTICA laser guide star system on October 1, 2018. Credit: Gemini Observatory/NSF/AURA image by Jason Chu GeminiFocus January 2019 GeminiFocus is a quarterly publication of the Gemini Observatory 670 N. A‘ohoku Place Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720, USA Phone: (808) 974-2500 / Fax: (808) 974-2589 Online viewing address: http://www.gemini.edu/node/27 Editor: Peter Michaud Associate Editor: Stephen James O’Meara Designer: Eve Furchgott/Blue Heron Multimedia Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Gemini Partnership. ii GeminiFocus January 2019