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 S12A/2012A. 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 'S12A' of Subaru and '2012A' of Gemini, both begin at 2012 February 1 and end at 2012 July 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 S12A, normal (non-ToO) observations with Gemini telescope will be executed in a 'classical' or 'queue' mode whichever you prefer. Proposals requesting Target of Opportunity (ToO) observations, except Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) programs, can be submitted to Gemini, where 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 whether the observations require Rapid or Standard response. Rapid ToO programs will be charged for time spent on any observation that the Rapid ToO interrupts; 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 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 S12A are as follows.
GMOS (North or South)
NIFS (North)
NIRI (North)
Michelle (North)
GNIRS (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 GNIRS, 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 while the success rate is not high (~25%), those who intend to conduct such AO observation must prepare a backup program. For NIFS + LGS-AO proposers, NIFS without LGS-AO (namely, NGS-AO or without AO), GNIRS without LGS-AO, and GMOS are available as backup instruments. For NIRI + LGS-AO proposers, NIRI without LGS-AO, GNIRS without LGS-AO, and GMOS are available. For GNIRS + LGS-AO proposers, GNIRS without LGS-AO, and GMOS are available. For NICI-AO proposers, GMOS and T-ReCS are available. For LGS-AO and NICI-AO proposers, the scientific importance of the backup program is also taken into account in the proposal evaluation process.

The unique capabilities of available Gemini instruments, compared to the existing Subaru instruments, are briefly summarized below for the Subaru community.

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

The amount of the observing time available in S12A is 4-8 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 = 4:00 -> 1:00 hours and declination -37 -> +90 degrees. For Gemini South, targets should be limited to RA = 5:00 -> 2:00 hours and declination -90 -> +28 degrees. There are additional restrictions for LGS-AO observations, which should be limited to RA = 5:00 -> 0:00 hours and declination -27 -> +68 degrees. Since individual instruments may have additional RA limits imposed, it is important to check the Gemini 2012A Call for Proposals, which will be released on around 2011 September 1 (MST).

3. Proposal Preparation for Programs using Gemini Telescopes

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

Proposers intending to apply Gemini observations via this Subaru Call for Proposals should access the ProMS 2.0 page to fill the webform. 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 instructions detailed in 'How to Submit'.

"1-1"(Title) to "1-4"(Co-Investigators):

Fill them as other Subaru proposals.

"1-5"(Observing Run):

Give the requested nights in Normal Program Form.

"1-6"(Targets) to "1-8"(Publication List):

Fill them as other Subaru proposals.

"1-9"(Scheduling Requirements)

Please indicate here if you wish observations to be carried out in "queue" mode.

"1-10"(Instrument Requirements) to "1-12"(Backup Proposal):

Fill them as other Subaru proposals.

"1-13"(Observing Method):

Describe referring to Gemini webpage

"1-14"(Past Observations) to "1-16"(Thesis):

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 2012A Call for Proposals (2011 September 30 MST). There are word limits in the sections of Abstract (200 words), Scientific Justification (1000 words), and Technical Justification (1000 words). The information you give in Gemini Phase-I submission is used when the program is accepted and goes to Phase II.

Gemini Call for Proposals and Phase-I Tool (PIT) for 2012A will be released on around 2011 September 1 (MST).

Please read the instruction in Gemini 2012A Call for Proposals carefully, when available. Subaru users should use Gemini PIT and submit their proposal by the deadline 2011 September 30 (MST). Please select "Subaru" for the "partner" in PIT submission 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