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 S09A/2009A. 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 'S09A' of Subaru and '2009A' of Gemini, both begin at 2009 February 1 and end at 2009 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 S09A, observations with both Gemini and Subaru telescopes will be basically executed in a 'classical' mode. However, in S09A, 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 (excluding its international programs) must refrain from submitting proposals to this program.

2. Available Instruments and the Observational Time

Gemini instruments available to the Subaru community in S09A are as follows.
GMOS (North or South)
NIFS (North)
NIRI (North) (may not be available in 2009 July)
T-ReCS (South) (available only during 2009 May - July )
+
Altair (Adaptive Optics; AO) (North)

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 backup program : Since both good seeing and photometric conditions are needed for successful LGS-AO observations and the success rate is not high (~25%), those who request LGS-AO time must prepare for 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 LGS-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.

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 S09A is 4-6 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.

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 use the special application form ( template_gemini.tex) and style file (subaru_gemini.sty), which are similar to those for Subaru S09A 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 T-ReCS 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 2009A Call for Proposals. There is no limitation for the length of the sections of Abstract, Scientific Justification, and Technical Justification. Please put the same content as written in the Subaru proposal form, but it is recommended to change "tex" format to "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 2009A will be released on around 2008 September 1.

Please read the instruction in Gemini 2009A Call for Proposals carefully, when available. Subaru users should use Gemini PIT and submit their proposal by the deadline 2009 September 30 (JST). 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 Scientist