TEXES Visiting Instrument Returns for Gemini North Telescope Run

Last week saw an unusual event at Gemini North — observers and the operator were actually present at the telescope instead of observing remotely from the Hilo base facility! The occasion was the beginning of a ten-night observing run for TEXES, the Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph, an ultra-high resolution spectrograph operating in the thermal infrared at wavelengths from 5 microns to 25 microns. Seven programs using TEXES were awarded time in Semester 2019B. In order to maintain its internal optics and detector at a temperature of 4 degrees above absolute zero, this visiting instrument requires occasional refills and adjustments of both liquid helium and liquid nitrogen. Gemini North has been observing remotely since late 2015. However,because these adjustments must be made manually, the TEXES team and Gemini operators were required to be at the telescope facility (see photo below). Although observing got off to a slow start due to poor weather conditions, the forecast is more favorable for the remainder of the run. Data is expected to roll in throughout the rest of this week.