HL Australia Gemini Office

AAO AusGO : 29 June 2009

Demystifying the Queue at Gemini Observatory

AAO Epping - 29 June 2009

Henry LeeGemini South, Chile

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How the queue works

Maximizing science

Phase 2 pitfalls

... my emphasis will be on Gemini South ...

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Queue-scheduling

• Three-band structure for (I)TAC-approved programs

• Within each band, programs are of equal merit

• Observations in the queue selected by★ scientific ranking; the “band”★ observing conditions at present★ target position & visibility : low in sky? early? late?★ overall use of instrument and/or instrument settings ★ program status : started & subsequent completion★ (partner balance done at ITAC)

• For conditions, do all B1 before B2, then B2 before B3

• B3 is designed to overfill queue & provide flexibility

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Queue-scheduling

• Matching priority & observing conditions✴ Cloud cover, CC✴ Image quality, IQ✴ Sky brightness, SB - optical✴ Water vapour, WV - NIR, MIR

• Advantages :★ able to fit observations with their required conditions to

actual conditions★ can set aside time before hand for SToO ★ quick-response (< 5 minutes) to RToO; e.g., GRBs

“instrument switch” is simply moving the science-fold

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http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/telescopes-and-sites/observing-condition-constraints

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/telescopes-and-sites/observing-condition-constraints


Band Requirement

B1 (~30%)> 90% completion;

some progs have 2-semester “rollover”

B2 (~30%)75% completion;

85% of started progs w. 75% data obtained

B3 (~40%)80% of started progs w. 75% of minimum data-hours obtained

B4“poor-weather” filler

CC70+ IQ=Any SB=Any WV=Any

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http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-with-gemini-new/observing-modes/poor-weather

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-with-gemini-new/observing-modes/poor-weather


Queue coordination

• Daytime “analog” to nighttime queue-observer

• Interactions with ✤ queue-observers✤ instrument-teams✤ day-crews✤ data-analysts (DA)✤ contact-scientists (CS)✤ program PIs (PI)

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Queue coordination

• Nightly observing plans for multiple condition-variants

• Changes mask- and instrument-configurations as necessary

• Ensures calibrations are completed for program

• Communicates with CS, IT, PIs about possible issues

• Ensures data-quality checks with help from DAs

• “Core” queue-coordinators : long-term scheduling

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Daily queue management

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(Observing) Conditions

• B1-2 : no need to relax observing conditions

• B3 : as queue-overfill, we do not carry out all observations✦ provide flexibility for non-ideal conditions✦ minimum-time < requested-time ?✦ targets’ list and visibility ? ✦ relax observing conditions & maintain science goals ?✦ “best” flexibility at CC70+ IQ85+ (optical)

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“Under pressure ...”

GN2006B-2008B

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GS2006B-2008B

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2009A

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Phase 2 pitfalls

• Targets at “semester” boundaries

• Guide stars too faint for conditions✴ recommend UCAC2 catalog for GMOS OIWFS

• Usable finder charts :✴ careful to show target, identifiers in crowded-fields✴ chart-size appropriate to instrument field-of-view

• If special acquisition or other, please tell us✴ we are not experts in every field ...✴ nor can we read minds ...

• Don’t forget appropriate/necessary calibrations ...

• Can use templates from standard OT libraries

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http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/gmos/guiding-options?q=node/10377

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/gmos/guiding-options?q=node/10377


2009B

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Phase 2 pitfalls

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Phase 2 pitfalls

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Date 2009B semester

10 June successful program PIs notified

12 June2009B schedule published on web

2009B OT software released

13 JulyDeadline for PIs to submit Phase 2;applies to both queue & classical

27 JulyReviews of all Phase 2 completed;

checking from NGOs to CS @ Gemini

1 AugustSemester 2009B begins;

09B programs may be observed to fill queue

17 August2009B queue fully loaded; activate all 09B programs

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“Help me, help you ...” (Jerry Maguire)

• Submit Phase 2s before deadline (July 13)

• Target visibility, guide-stars, finder charts ...

• If MOS, define and submit preimaging ASAP✴ early preimaging : earlier mask-preparation✴ submission deadlines : 1st, 15th of every month✴ MOS program activated and executed sooner

• For most observations, standard OT libraries available

• Band 3 : relax observing conditions? possible targets outside of “high-pressure RAs”?

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http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-with-gemini/phase-ii-and-s/w-tools/advice-band-3-programs



• Submit Phase 2s before deadline (July 13)

• Target visibility, guide-stars, finder charts ...

• If MOS, define and submit preimaging ASAP✴ early preimaging : earlier mask-preparation✴ submission deadlines : 1st, 15th of every month✴ MOS program activated and executed sooner

• For most observations, standard OT libraries available

• Band 3 : relax observing conditions? possible targets outside of “high-pressure RAs”?

“Help us help you ...”

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“Show me the money ...” (Jerry Maguire)

• Queue is flexible, but keeps to scientific band

• Get your Phase 2s submitted early!

• Queries to Gemini HelpDesk

• If B3, relax observing conditions ?

• Good luck & may the skies be with you, always ...

• Current queue & schedule

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http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-with-gemini/phase-ii-and-s/w-tools/observation-execution?q=node/11153



“Show me the photons ...”

• Queue is flexible, but keeps to scientific band

• Get your Phase 2s submitted early!

• Queries to Gemini HelpDesk

• If B3, relax observing conditions ?

• Good luck & may the skies be with you, always ...

• Current queue & schedule

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Thanks; I’m happy to take further questions ...

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