The Gemini 2017B observing programs have now been announced. Notification emails to successful PIs were sent today, June 15 2017. Please check the schedules page for more information. Note that the new Observing Tool must be used to access and update 17B programs.
The 2017B Gemini Observing Tool is now available for download. This update is required to access the Gemini Observing Databases.
The Installation Instructions are linked off of the Observing Tool web page, and we recommend that everyone download their programs from the databases rather than import from saved XMLs.
The Gemini observing databases will be offline for several hours on Tuesday June 6 while we perform software updates.
During this time the following services will be unavailable:
The new 2017B Observing Tool should be available on Wednesday June 7 and will be required to access the observing databases.
Please check this site for further announcements.
The Gemini South Observing Database will be offline 2017-May-30 from approximately 9:40 AM - 2:00 PM CST while work is done on the network infrastructure.
The Gemini South Observing Database will be offline 2017-May-25 from approximately 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM CST while work is done on the network infrastructure.
Update May 27th
Telescope is now back in operation after the snow and ice being removed from the dome.
Update May 26th
The poor weather has continued and impeded science operations. The conditions are now improving and a special team will travel to the summit on Satirday the 27th to clean the dome from ice and snow, and if all goes well we will be able to open on Saturday the 27th.
Update May 19th
The Gemini South observing database is not accessible as of 9:00am on April 27, 2017 due to a network hardware failure at CTIO. Repair work is ongoing but there is currently no estimate of when this will be repaired. This will prevent program sync and auxiliary file transfers. This announcement will be updated as we learn more.
Update April 28: The network link has been restored but communication with the observing database may be unreliable.
The Gemini Observing Tool version 2017A.1.1.5 is now available for download. This version fixes non-sidereal target queries to the JPL Horizons service.
Installation instructions are linked off of the Observing Tool web page
Due to a recent change in the JPL Horizons service the ephemeris lookups for non-sidereal targets in the OT and PIT are currently not working. We are currently investigating the issue and we have identified a solution. If the change to Horizons is permanent then we will release new versions of the OT and PIT within the next few days. For now Gemini staff will manually update the ephemerides for non-sidereal targets in the queue.