A New Optical Echelle and New Operations Models for Gemini

White Papers on High Resolution Optical Spectroscopy Solicited

Gemini has announced its intention to build a new high-resolution optical spectrograph. This development is, in part, an outcome of the report of the ALTAIR committee convened by NOAO and discussions among the individual Gemini partner communities. These groups all identified high-resolution optical spectroscopy as one of the most highly desired capabilities that is currently missing from the Gemini instrumentation suite.

In discussions over the last 6 months, the Gemini Science Committee recommended, and Gemini agreed, that a high resolution optical spectrograph is an appealing instrument to pursue at the present time because of the strong demand for the capability and the likelihood that it could be delivered on a short timescale (in 2014, approximately) and within the constraints of the Gemini base budget.

The Gemini Observatory is currently soliciting science and instrument white papers from the Gemini community in order to help construct the science case for and define the characteristics of the new high-resolution optical spectrograph. While identifying critical science goals is the main goal of this effort, the call also solicits instrument and technology position papers that suggest solutions to the mass, volume, and gravity variant constraints imposed by the lack of a Nasmyth focus on Gemini.

The Observatory encourages anyone with an interest in high-resolution optical spectroscopy on Gemini, both observers and instrument builders, to participate. Interested participants are requested to notify Eric Tollestrup, Associate Director of Development (etollestrup@gemini.edu, 808-974-2511) of their intent to submit a white paper. White papers are due 7 September 2010. The results of the solicitation will be compiled and forwarded to the Gemini Board for discussion at the November Board meeting, after which the Board may issue a call for proposals to build an instrument.

The push to build a high-resolution optical spectrograph for Gemini is the first step in a new round of instrumentation development at Gemini, which has an anticipated emphasis on delivering high-demand capabilities that are currently missing from the Gemini instrumentation suite and replacing high-demand instruments that are aging and obsolete.

New Operations Models for Gemini

With the current Gemini partnership agreement set to expire at the end of 2012, the NSF and the Gemini partners have been working to negotiate a new partnership agreement. As the UK has announced their intention to withdraw from the partnership at the end of the current agreement, the Gemini Observatory may face a budget reduction of as much as 25% (the same fraction as the UK share in the original partnership).

In anticipation of this possibility, the Gemini Observatory is currently investigating new, lower-cost operations models for the post-2012 era. Possible future operations models will be discussed at the November meeting of the Gemini Board. We will report on any developments on this topic in future issues of Currents.