1 aao ausgo : 29 june 2009 demystifying the queue at gemini observatory aao epping - 29 june 2009...

1AAO AusGO : 29 June 2009AAO AusGO : 29 June 2009

Demystifying the Queue at Gemini Observatory

AAO Epping - 29 June 2009AAO Epping - 29 June 2009

Henry LeeHenry LeeGemini South, ChileGemini South, Chile


How the queue

works

Maximizing science

Phase 2 pitfalls... my emphasis will be on Gemini

South ...


Queue-scheduling

• Three-band structure for (I)TAC-approved programs

• Within each band, programs are of equal merit

• Observations in the queue selected by★ scientific ranking; the “band”★ observing conditions at present★ target position & visibility : low in sky? early? late?★ overall use of instrument and/or instrument

settings ★ program status : started & subsequent completion★ (partner balance done at ITAC)

• For conditions, do all B1 before B2, then B2 before B3

• B3 is designed to overfill queue & provide flexibility


Queue-scheduling

• Matching priority & observing conditions✴ Cloud cover, CC✴ Image quality, IQ✴ Sky brightness, SB - optical✴ Water vapour, WV - NIR, MIR

• Advantages :★ able to fit observations with their required

conditions to actual conditions★ can set aside time before hand for SToO ★ quick-response (< 5 minutes) to RToO; e.g., GRBs

• “instrument switch” is simply moving the science-fold

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/telescopes-and-sites/observing-condition-constraints


Band Requirement

B1 (~30%) > 90% completion;some progs have 2-semester “rollover”

B2 (~30%)75% completion;

85% of started progs w. 75% data obtained

B3 (~40%) 80% of started progs w. 75% of minimum data-hours obtained

B4 “poor-weather” filler CC70+ IQ=Any SB=Any WV=Any

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-with-gemini-new/observing-modes/poor-weather


Queue coordination

• Daytime “analog” to nighttime queue-observer

• Interactions with ✤ queue-observers✤ instrument-teams✤ day-crews✤ data-analysts (DA)✤ contact-scientists (CS)✤ program PIs (PI)


Queue coordination

• Nightly observing plans for multiple condition-variants

• Changes mask- and instrument-configurations as necessary

• Ensures calibrations are completed for program

• Communicates with CS, IT, PIs about possible issues

• Ensures data-quality checks with help from DAs

• “Core” queue-coordinators : long-term scheduling


Daily queue management


(Observing) Conditions

• B1-2 : no need to relax observing conditions

• B3 : as queue-overfill, we do not carry out all observations

✦ provide flexibility for non-ideal conditions✦ minimum-time < requested-time ?✦ targets’ list and visibility ? ✦ relax observing conditions & maintain science

goals ?✦ “best” flexibility at CC70+ IQ85+ (optical)

10

AAO AusGO : 29 June 2009AAO AusGO : 29 June 2009


11



12



13


“Under pressure ...”

GN2006B-2008BGN 2006B-2008B

GS2006B-2008B

14



GS 2006B-2008B

2009A

15



2009A

16


Phase 2 pitfalls

• Targets at “semester” boundaries

• Guide stars too faint for conditions✴ recommend UCAC2 catalog for GMOS OIWFS

• Usable finder charts :✴ careful to show target, identifiers in crowded-

fields✴ chart-size appropriate to instrument field-of-

view

• If special acquisition or other, please tell us✴ we are not experts in every field ...✴ nor can we read minds ...

• Don’t forget appropriate/necessary calibrations ...

• Can use templates from standard OT libraries

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/gmos/guiding-options?q=node/10377

17


2009B

18


Phase 2 pitfalls

19


Phase 2 pitfalls

20


Date 2009B semester

10 June successful program PIs notified

12 June 2009B schedule published on web2009B OT software released

13 July Deadline for PIs to submit Phase 2;applies to both queue & classical

27 July Reviews of all Phase 2 completed;checking from NGOs to CS @ Gemini

1 AugustSemester 2009B begins;

09B programs may be observed earlier to fill queue

17 August 2009B queue fully loaded; activate all 09B programs

21


“Help me, help you ...” (Jerry Maguire)

• Submit Phase 2s before deadline (July 13)

• Target visibility, guide-stars, finder charts ...

• If MOS, define and submit preimaging ASAP✴ early preimaging : earlier mask-preparation✴ submission deadlines : 1st, 15th of every

month✴ MOS program activated and executed sooner

• For most observations, standard OT libraries available

• Band 3 : relax observing conditions? possible targets outside of “high-pressure RAs”?

“Help us help you ...”

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-with-gemini/phase-ii-and-s/w-tools/advice-band-3-programs

22


23


“Show me the money ...” (Jerry Maguire)“Show me the photons ...”

• Queue is flexible, but keeps to scientific band

• Get your Phase 2s submitted early!

• Queries to Gemini HelpDesk

• If B3, relax observing conditions ?

• Good luck & may the skies be with you, always ...

• Current queue & schedule

http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/observing-with-gemini/phase-ii-and-s/w-tools/observation-execution?q=node/11153

24


Thanks; I’m happy to take further questions ...

1 aao ausgo : 29 june 2009 demystifying the queue at gemini observatory aao epping - 29 june 2009...

Documents

aao ausgo

b slide

flexibility slide

observing conditions

chile slide

observing conditions

daily queue management

required conditions