The Users’ Committee for Gemini Observatory (UCG) provides feedback to the Observatory on all areas of its operations that affect
current users. The committee members base
their input on their own experiences and the
information they solicit from the broader
user community. Gemini uses this feedback
to improve the service it provides to users.
The operational model for the Gemini Observatory delegates many functions to the
partners. Each partner has a National Gemini
Office (NGO) that provides the local interface
between the national community and the
Gemini Observatory to support their users.
Among the many responsibilities, each NGO
supports the evaluation of proposals for, or
site time through, a national time allocation
committee, including providing for technical review and recommendation for time
July2013
allocation to the international committee.
The NGOs support users who have been allocated time during the Phase II Process and
directly provide technical support of instruments and systems throughout the year. The
NGOs also promote Gemini capabilities and
use within their national communities.
An Operations Working Group, including the
NGOs, advises the Gemini Director on the
use and scheduling of the Gemini telescopes,
and on matters related to the user support
interface between the national communities and the Observatory. The group reviews
science operations and makes suggestions
for improvements, recommends content
for each semester’s call for proposals, and
collaborates on science operations support
among the NGOs.
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