It is with great delight that we are announcing the first public release of Gemini's new Python-base data reduction platform, DRAGONS, Data Reduction for Astronomy from Gemini Observatory North and South. This project has been many years in the making. DRAGONS offers a more streamlined approached to the data reduction of Gemini data, compared to the Gemini IRAF package.
As of this week's v10.15 release, MacOS is no longer capable of running the 32-bit Astroconda IRAF distribution needed by Gemini IRAF. For the time being, Gemini IRAF users on Apple machines are advised to continue using MacOS 10.14 or earlier, or to install Astroconda in a virtual machine with a compatible OS. Gemini will look into providing a ready-made VM image to help with this while we are migrating our data reduction tools to Python.
The Gemini observing databases will be offline for several hours on Monday, October 7 while we perform software updates in preparation for GeMS NGS2 commissioning
During this time the following services will be unavailable:
Gemini is now accepting proposals for observing time in Semester 2020A. The submission deadline varies with participant. A new version of the Phase I Tool (PIT) has been released to support proposal submissions.
Gemini North remains closed for observations. We would at this time have been in the scheduled engineering shutdown, but the continued lack of reliable access to Maunakea has delayed the start of that work. With the approaching Hurricanes Erick and Flossie bracketing the weekend, a small crew ascended to the summit this morning (31-Jul) to leave the facility in a safe state. Once we regain reliable summit access we will commence and complete the shutdown, but to limit the loss of time in 2019B have deferred the planned primary mirror coating until 2020.
Gemini 2019B observing programs and schedule have been announced. Notification emails were sent to successful PIs on June 14, 2019. Please check the schedules page for more information. Note that the latest version of the Observing Tool is required to access and update 2019B programs.
The 2019B Gemini Observing Tool is now available for download. This update is required to access the Gemini Observing Databases.
The Installation Instructions are linked on the Observing Tool web page, and we recommend that everyone download their programs from the databases rather than import from saved XMLs.
See the the Release Notes for a complete list of changes.
The Gemini observing databases will be offline for several hours on Monday, June 3 while we perform software updates.
During this time the following services will be unavailable:
The new 2019B Observing Tool should be available on Tuesday, June 4 and will be required to access the observing databases.
The Gemini North observing database will be offline for several hours on Wednesday April 17 starting at 9:30am for hardware maintenance.
During this time the following services will be unavailable:
Please check this site for further announcements.
2019-Apr-17 @ 13:45 HST: access to the Gemini North observing database has been restored.
On April 4, 2019 Observing Tool version 2019A.1.1.6 was released for continued support of 2019A programs. This is an optional but highly recommended update. The changes are listed in the Release Notes. The changes since version 1.1.3 are: