Subaru/Gemini Time Exchange Program

This is the instruction for Subaru users who intend to apply for Gemini telescope time through the Subaru/Gemini Time Exchange Program in S10B/2010B. Please note that there are two steps in proposal submission (see below).

1. Details

Directors of Subaru Telescope and Gemini Observatory agreed to continue a time exchange program for the semester which corresponds to 'S10B' of Subaru and '2010B' of Gemini, both begin at 2010 August 1 and end at 2011 January 31. This time exchange program is coordinated so that astronomers in each community can mutually access to some of the unique instruments of each telescope.

In S10B, observations with both Gemini and Subaru telescopes will be basically executed in a 'classical' mode. However, in S10B, proposals requesting Target of Opportunity (ToO) observations, except Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) programs, can be submitted to Gemini, and accepted ToO programs will be executed in a queue mode. All Gemini instruments listed below are available for ToO programs. There are two types of ToO observations. Rapid ToOs require observations within 24 hours, while Standard ToOs will have a slower response time of more than 24 hours. The PI must specify if the observations require Rapid or Standard response. Rapid ToO programs will be charged for the time spent on the observations which they interrupt; both Rapid and Standard ToO programs will be charged for all on-sky calibrations. The exchange agreement with Gemini equates one classical night to 7.5 hours of ToO queue time.

Scientific merits of the proposals are reviewed and determined in each TAC independently (namely, proposals from the Subaru community using Gemini are reviewed by Subaru TAC). Those who have direct access to Gemini time must refrain from submitting proposals to this program.

2. Available Instruments and Observing Time

Gemini instruments available to the Subaru community in S10B are as follows.
GMOS (North or South)
NIFS (North)
NIRI (North)
Michelle (North)
Altair (Adaptive Optics; AO) (North)
T-ReCS (South)
NICI (+NGS-AO) (South)

For Altair , AO with both laser guide stars (LGS) and natural guide stars (NGS) are available with the combination of NIFS and NIRI.

LGS-AO and NICI-AO backup program : Since both good seeing and photometric conditions are needed for successful LGS-AO and NICI-AO observations and the success rate is not high (~25%), those who request such time must prepare a backup program. For NIFS + LGS-AO proposers, NIFS without LGS-AO (namely, NGS-AO or without AO), NIRI without LGS-AO, and GMOS are available as a backup instrument. For NIRI + LGS-AO proposers, NIRI without LGS-AO and GMOS are available. For NICI-AO, GMOS is available. For LGS-AO and NICI-AO proposers, the scientific importance of the backup program is also taken into account for the proposal evaluation process.

For the Subaru community, the unique capabilities of these available Gemini instruments, compared to the existing Subaru instruments, are briefly summarized.

A brief summary of Gemini instruments available this time
GMOS	GMOS is an optical spectrograph with the Nod and Shuffle capability. Higher sensitivity than Subaru FOCAS may be expected depending on observing modes. GMOS has an integral field spectroscopic capability.
NIFS	NIFS is an infrared integral field spectrograph. LGS/NGS-AO is available. Higher sensitivity than Keck OSIRIS may be expected, particularly in the K-band.
NIRI	Infrared imaging and slit spectroscopy with LGS/NGS-AO are possible.
Michelle	Mid-infrared 10-20 micrometer observations are possible.
T-ReCS	Mid-infrared 10-20 micrometer observations of southern sources are possible.
NICI	Near-infrared coronagraphic imaging observations of southern sources are possible. NICI has a list of protected targets which cannot be observed by the community. NICI observations require good seeing conditions and photometric conditions (IQ70 CC50).

Note that the above summary is not comprehensive. Please refer to the Gemini webpages for the details of the instruments and telescopes.

The amount of the observing time available in S10B is 5-10 nights , depending on the oversubscription rate of both telescopes. The minimum amount of requested nights for each program, including ToO programs, is 1 night, because we cannot accept a number of short programs.

Target coordinates : For Gemini North, targets should be limited to RA = 17:00 -> 13:30 hours and declination -37 -> +79 degrees. For Gemini South, targets should be limited to RA = 16:00 -> 12:00 hours and declination -89 -> +28 degrees. There are additional restrictions for LGS-AO observations, which should be limited to RA = 18:00 -> 12:30 hours and declination -27 -> +68 degrees. Further details are given in the Gemini 2010B Call for Proposals, which will be released on 2010 March 1 (HST).

3. Proposal Preparation for Programs using Gemini Telescopes

Table 1. Guide for Proposers Applying for Gemini Time
Phase-I Subaru Submission	Step 1. Proposers should submit their proposals to Subaru PROMS using a special application form (template_gemini.tex) and a style file (subaru_gemini.sty) by the deadline in Subaru S10B Call for Proposals (namely, noon, 2010 March 12, JST).
Phase-I Gemini Submission	Step 2. They also need to cast their proposals to Gemini by the electronic submission using PIT (Phase I Tool) by the deadline described in Gemini 2010B Call for Proposals (2010 March 31 HST).
Phase-II Submission	Step 3. For the accepted proposals, Phase-II submission to Gemini Observatory is necessary.

3-1. Step 1. Phase-I Submission to Subaru PROMS

Proposers intending to apply Gemini observations via this Subaru Call for Proposals should use the special application form ( template_gemini.tex) and style file (subaru_gemini.sty), which are similar to those for Subaru S10B Normal/Intensive program proposals. The form should be filled out following the instruction described below and be submitted to the Subaru PROMS. Proposals from the Subaru community to use Gemini are treated as one of the Subaru Open Use Programs and are reviewed in the same way as other Subaru proposals.

How to complete the Application Form:

Please follow the section 4 in the Call for Proposals.

"4-1 to 4-7":: Fill them as other Subaru proposals.
"4-8":: List GMOS(N) or GMOS(S) or NIFS (+ LGS-AO or NGS-AO) or NIRI (+ LGS-AO or NGS-AO) or Michelle or T-ReCS or NICI for the instrument. Give the requested 'nights' in Normal Programs Form.
"4-9" to 4-13:: Fill them as other Subaru proposals.
"4-14":: Describe "Observing Method and Technical Details" referring to http://www.gemini.edu/
"4-15 to 4-18":: Fill them as other Subaru proposals.

3-2. Step 2. Phase-I Submission to Gemini

All the proposals requesting Gemini time should be submitted to the Gemini's Phase I Application, too, by the deadline for Gemini's semester 2010B Call for Proposals (2010 March 31 HST). There are word limits in the sections of Abstract (200 words), Scientific Justification (1000 words), and Technical Justification (1000 words). It is recommended to change "tex" commands in the Subaru proposal form to a "text" mode. We understand this is an inconvenient way as you need double submissions, but it is needed to match with the current proposal processing systems of Subaru and Gemini. The information you give in Gemini Phase-I submission is used when the program is accepted and goes to Phase II. The target names cannot be hidden in Gemini Phase-I submission.

Gemini Call for Proposals and Phase-I Tool (PIT) for 2010B will be released on 2010 March 1 (HST).

Please read the instruction in Gemini 2010B Call for Proposals carefully, when available. Subaru users should use Gemini PIT and submit their proposal by the deadline 2010 March 31 (HST). Please select "Subaru" for the "partner" in PIT submission tab page.

Table 2. Gemini Phase I Submission
Deadline	Subaru users should submit their Gemini Phase I application by 2010 March 31 (HST)
Submission	Please use Gemini PIT and select "Subaru" as the "partner" in the "Submit" tab page.

3-3. Step 3. Phase-II Submission to Gemini

The PIs of the accepted programs have to make the Phase-II proposal submission to Gemini by themselves, following the instruction in the web page, Phase-II Overview.

4. Phase-I Contact Scientist

Phase-I Contact Scientist for Subaru Users applying for Gemini time is Dr. Masa Imanishi (NAOJ) or Hideki Takami (NAOJ).