Gemini North TOPTICA Laser Availability

The TOPTICA laser has been successfully commissioned for nighttime operation at Gemini North. The Laser Guide Star (LGS) mode will be available for Fast Turnaround and Directorʻs Discretionary programs starting using the Phase 1 Tool released on December 11, 2018. The new laser allows us to move away from block scheduling and offer LGS mode on a greater number of nights. We are in the process of activating one LP program that was put on hold when our old LGS system failed.
 
During the on-sky commissioning, we confirmed the stability of delivered power by the TOPTICA laser. We also estimated the on-sky return at the equivalent of an ~8th magnitude star (V_mag), when propagating at zenith. This of course will vary as the sodium layer density fluctuates.