GeminiFocus July 2013 | Page 3

Markus Kissler-Patig Director’s Message 2013: A Year of Milestones, Change, and Accomplishments We’ve seen quite a few changes at Gemini since the start of 2013. Now, halfway through the year, we’re optimistic that many of our ambitious goals are nearing fruition. So far, the absolute highlight is the spectacular scientific performance of the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System (GeMS). This facility instrument is unique among any groundbased observatory, and it is ramping up strongly (as the cover article in this issue reveals). Twelve science programs have already been completed as part of the GeMS System Verification between January and April. Regular science observations are going strongly in 2013A, and GeMS, with its infrared camera, the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI), is fully booked for 2013B… and this is just the beginning. In the next few years, both the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) integral field unit and FLAMINGOS-2 are also expected to utilize light fed by GeMS. Three instruments will then profit from an image quality improved by a factor of two or better — a fantastic demonstration of how this critical technology will benefit the extremely large telescopes of the future. A second highlight of 2013 is the (re)commissioning of FLAMINGOS-2 (F2). As this issue goes online, two runs remain (one in June, another in July) before F2 starts science operations in 2013B. F2 has recovered from its catastrophic lens breakage in 2012 and will be offered in imaging and long-slit modes this year. Despite its multi-object spectroscopy (MOS) mode, which is still pending commissioning, F2 jumped up to third place as Gemini’s most in-demand instrument (behind the two evergreens: GMOS north and south). Commissioning of the MOS is foreseen in 2014A, making it available to Gemini’s users in about a year. The third challenge that Gemini faces this year is the arrival of the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI). GPI completed its acceptance testing at the University of California Santa Cruz in June and is awaiting acceptance review in July. We expect it to arrive at Gemini South in August for deployment on the telescope in the last quarter of this year. Gemini staff are working to solicit input from, and provide access to, the science community as soon as possible. Stay tuned for early data from this other unique facility! Clearly, installing these three instruments on the Gemini South telescope in a single year is not only extremely challenging but very demanding on our resources. All those involved will work at their limit to make this possible. The scientific reward will be so huge, that the extra effort is July2013 GeminiFocus 3