Timestamp Accuracy in Gemini Data

Based on observations of GPS satellite orbits, scientists at Gemini Observatory have begun a project to estimate the precision of data timestamps. By tracking satellites whose orbits are known to have accuracies on the order of 100 cm, a difference between the predicted position and the observed position can be converted to a time difference, which can be measured up to a precision of 10 ms. For GMOS-S and GMOS-N, a timestamp precision of 0.16 s, and 0.21 s were measured respectively. Future measurements using other Gemini imaging instruments are planned. More details are available here.