Science Operations Specialists: More Than Telescope Operators

A unique aspect of Gemini’s Science Operations Specialists (SOS) positions is the projects they perform throughout the observatory which are aligned with their interests and experience/skills.

A great example is a Principal SOS here at Gemini North: Lucas Fuhrman. Lucas is involved in developing our next-generation acquisition software, or “Pygacq.” Currently, we use a complicated set of code to acquire our targets on the sky. Since this environment is expected to become obsolete within the next few years, we need to maintain our ability to efficiently set up on our targets, which is critical in a queue-based observatory. With Lucas’ expertise he has taken full ownership of this project, under the support and sponsorship of our Science User Support Department. In just over one year, he has completed coding for acquiring images and spectra, including cross-dispersed and MOS modes, for all facility instruments at both Gemini North and South. His is now concentrating on developing the Integral Field Units reconstruction routines for the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrographs (North and South). This project is expected to start testing phases toward the end of Semester 19A.

Although the main responsibilities of an SOS are daily and nightly operations, these special projects are beneficial for both the observatory and the SOSs, who do challenging and interesting work that breaks the routine and promotes engagement.