Figure 4.
GPI PSF images using
a telescope simulator.
The exposure time
for each image
is 2 seconds. Left:
Image without the
coronographic mask.
Right: The same
configuration but with
the coronographic
mask in the beam. The
exposure time in both
images is identical and
shows the efficiency
of the coronographic
mask to diminish the
light from the core.
brought by MCAO is close to one of a groundlayer AO system: a gain by a factor of 2 to 4 in
the FWHM over the natural seeing conditions.
During the April 2012 commissioning run,
we offered the user community their first opportunity to use GeMS with GSAOI. Given the
unique scientific potential of GeMS and the
current interest in this capability, we also invited astronomers to submit scientifically appealing targets that may be observed during
the engineering runs. The intent is to provide
a suite of scientifically useful data that demonstrates the unique capabilities of GeMS
with GSAOI. We hope these provide a catalyst
for subsequent observing programs. Unfortunately both runs were mostly weathered out
and no data were obtained.
The next opportunity for these observations is
is anticipated during the full end-to-end GeMS
testing of System Verification (SV) with GSAOI
that will be conducted in late 2012. System
Verification will occur after a second engineering winter shutdown (from May to September
2012) which is intended to consolidate and ultimately solve any remaining issues.
Last, but not least, the GeMS and GSAOI websites have recently been refurbished. You’ll
find more information on commissioning and
results (respectively) at: www.gemini.edu/
instruments/gems and www.gemini.edu/instruments/gsaoi
30
GeminiFocus
Gemini Planet Imager (GPI):
Project Update
During the first half of 2012, excitement ran
high among all of those working on the Integration and Test (I&T) phase of the Gemini
Planet Imager (GPI) at the University California Santa Cruz (UCSC). A tremendous amount
of effort put forth by many individuals and
groups — including the instrument builders,
the extended GPI community, and the Gemini
project team — resulted in a bounty of delightful end-to-end results.
To summarize, GPI, a next-generation exoplanet-finding instrument, is comprised of
four major hardware subsystems: opto-mechanical super-structure (OMSS), adaptive
optics (AO) system, interferometer calibration
system (CA
K[