Call for GeMS+GSAOI community commissioning targets

The Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optics System (GeMS) and Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) are presently being commissioned at Gemini South. At present, we expect that the completed end-to-end testing of System Verification (SV) for GeMS+GSAOI will be conducted in late 2012. However, given the unique scientific potential of GeMS and the current interest in this capability, Gemini is offering an opportunity for the community to be involved in defining targets for commissioning. We therefore invite astronomers to submit scientifically interesting targets that may be observed during the April 2012 GeMS and GSAOI engineering runs. The intent is to provide a suite of scientifically useful data that demonstrates the unique capabilities of GeMS with GSAOI and may provide a catalyst for subsequent observing programs.

Potential targets will be reviewed by Gemini staff and members of the GeMS/GSAOI commissioning team. A final list of potential targets will be selected based on a wide range of criteria including scientific interest, the ability of the observations to demonstrate GeMS capabilities, feasibility, location on the sky, and the desire to provide a balance in science topics.

Submission deadlines

• For targets to be include in the April 9 - 14, 2012 commissioning block, the deadline is Thursday March 29, 2012 at noon Chile time (GMT-3hours)
• For targets to be included in the April 26 - 29, 2012 commissioning block, the deadline is Thursday April 12, 2012 at noon Chile time (GMT-3hours).

Applications should be submitted to gemscall@gemini.edu. Detailed information is provided in the complete Call for GeMS+GSAOI community commissioning target web page.