INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRIGGERING GEMINI

Notes: To add a target in the new OT system, need to select "sidereal object" from drop-down menu.

If you want, check telescope status North or South.

Best weather info. Also Hawaiian WEATHER (I recommend the NOAA Water Vapour map which you'd like to see nice and orangey-brown over the Big Island) or try here. Weather info at Pachon is not good - could try Tololo weather.

You might also want to check the current queue status and scheduled blocks.
Need to have the latest version of Gemini OT installed on your machine -- if not, get it.

Assuming you have run up the OT, next:

  1. FETCH the programme - currently, see email from Jillian 4/4/22, and Nino on 12/01/22 and 16/12/21 for eavesdropping.
    • Gemini-N 22A shorts: GN-2022A-Q-110, BLBRZ (7.5hr)
    • Gemini-S 22A shorts: GS-2022A-Q-112, LQBFD (7.4hr)
    • Gemini-N 22A high-z: GN-2022A-Q-102, WRMXV (6.7hr)
    • Gemini-S 22A high-z: GS-2022A-Q-104, VVQTM
  2. If you want to trigger a new observation you need to COPY and PASTE one of the "template observations" into a new "group" that you have created (see button on left).  Obviously best to choose a template that has the filters/sequence you want. From 2008 the new copy should remain set to ON HOLD, and so can be used and even toggled between READY and ON-HOLD if necessary. Edit the NEW COPY with target, guide star, notes etc.
  3. You can also change/select exposure time, filter, grism etc. (despite the fact that we have a different MSB template notionally for each).
  4. It is essential to create a PLOT of the field - you can pull over eg. DSS images as a background (you do need to ask it to do this) and mark up eg. USNO stars.   the field of view of the instrument (Science field).
    • For GMOS: plot guide probe area (OIWFs) etc. Hence you must select suitable guide stars, or reorganise the pointing (eg. rotating the PA of field) so that suitable guide stars can be found. Note, the guide probe very can easily end up vignetting part of the science field.
    • For NIRI: plot the PWFS - circular field for guide probe.

  5. Note that if no timing windows are given then default windows (24 hours for rapid, 1 week for standard) are added at the time of the trigger.
  6. For spectroscopy need to include an acquisition exposure - based on the templates in the relevant folder.
  7. Good idea to write a few explanatory NOTES, just so the observer knows what you are trying to achieve (if there's any doubt!), and whether the observation should expire at some time, if not performed. And add CONTACT information so that they have a few people they can try, if they need clarification.
  8. Set the observation to READY, and decide whether it should be flagged as "rapid".
  9. If required (and this might be done later) attach a finder (at top level of the whole programme) or point to a web page in the notes.
  10. Then STORE the MSB back to the DATABASE.
  11. Finally, re-Fetch the program - any default timing windows may not appear until the program is fetched so we recommend fetching the program after each store.
This should bring the MSB up in the queue, and send an automated email to folks on the list (for extra confirmation at GN, you may want to email kroth@gemini.edu, gnqc@gemini.edu, ijorgensen@gemini.edu).

Phone numbers of control rooms: GN +1 808 974 2652 (or 2693 or both?), GS +56 51 205 730

John Graham's triggering page can be found here.

A Gemini page with their instructions can be found here

Access to PI data here for which you need to be registered with CADC: it is your CADC un/pw (ntanvir) which you will first be prompted for. Then the following page requires prog ID and key (input where it says password) IF you are registering a new program. Otherwise you should see the progs that you have already registered.

Old archive ad CADC here.
My notes on GMOS reduction

[some old prog/keys:


David's 09A programmes: GN-2009A-Q-66 (FDXYP 4hr), GS-2009A-Q-48 (FDKQL 4 hr); which should bring up all past and present MSBs.