australian astronomy mnrf symposium

Australian Astronomy MNRF SymposiumATNF Marsfield, 7 June 2005 Gemini

Local Activities and International DevelopmentsWarrick Couch, UNSW no longer the Australian Gemini Scientist,- not quite yet the Australian Gemini Board member

Local ActivitiesAusGO newsGemini Users SurveyPublicationsSwap of time with CanadaPurchase of extra nights International DevelopmentsLaser Guide Star @ GNAspen instrumentation program & WFMOS Talk outlineAustralian Astronomy MNRF SymposiumATNF Marsfield, 7 June 2005

Changes with the Australian Gemini OfficeOn 1 January 2005, the Australian Gemini Office relocated from UNSW to [email protected] Paul Francis (RSAA) became the new Australian Gemini Scientist on this date as well ( Project Manager for MNRF Gemini increased share project)Two new Deputy Gemini ScientistsDr Matthew ODowd (UMelb) appointed DGS for the Melbourne region in July 2004, and Dr David Woods (UNSW) appointed DGS for the Sydney region in September 2004.Responsibilities: provide Phase I/II and data reduction software support for Gemini users in their regions + develop data reduction pipeline software for Gemini instruments/modes. Both active researchers/Gemini users 25% of their time available for research.

Australian Gemini Users SurveyGoals:To conduct an audit of Australias use of its Gemini time and what the returns have been in terms of useful data, scientific results, publications and postgraduate training (driven by requests for such information from ATAC and ARC).To use this as an opportunity to identify problems with the observing process and bottle-necks in converting data into science.Surveyed all Australian astronomers who had been allocated ATAC time in the semesters 2001A 2004A inclusive:67 queue programs (SRB=1-4) and 2 classical programs totaling 644 hrs

25%30%20%25%30%31%38%31%0%75%17%8%0%31%8%Program completion statistics (01A-04A)SRB=1SRB=2SRB=3NO DATA0-50%50-100%COMPLETE%use

Issues:fragmented nature of queue observing:Long time to acquire complete datasets on individual target objectsObservations taken in different conditions; heterogeneous datasets compromises data reduction and overall qualitythreshold effect with queue observing:Many instances of programs having obtained data but not enough to get over threshold required to produce a significant scientific result and hence a papersnap-shot mentality within a small partner community:Quite a number of programs have involved small allocations for high-medium risk look-and-see observations, a number of which have come to nothing!Some programs take a long time:Two major programs which have been strongly supported (dist SN and external globs) take a long time to complete.

variety of difficulties, mainly at/with Observatory:instrument breakdowns and performance problems (many!) poor advice on best instrument configuration to use poor scheduling of observationspointing uncertainties with mid-IR instrumentsdata reduction software: packages within Gemini IRAF very rudimentary and often suffer from fundamental bugsIssues continued:

Australian publications from Gemini Dec 2003

Chart1

GermanyGMOSGNAA2002The Mass Function of the ArchesStolte +325

FranceHokupaaGNAA2003Are the Host of Gamma Ray BurstsLeFloch +1330

UKGMOSGNAA2003Gemini Observations of Wolf-RayetCrowther +438

USAOSCIRGNAJ2002N-Band Observations of Henize 2-10Vacca +28

CanadaOSCIRGNAJ2002The Embedded Super Star ClusterPlante +120

CanadaGMOSGNAJ2002The Upper Asymptotic Giant BranchDavidge21

USAHokupaaGNAJ2002The Structure and Stellar ContentStephens +122

USAPHOENIXGSAJ2002Chemical Abundances in 12 Red Smith +1226

CanadaNIRIGNAJ2003Host Galaxies of z=4.7 QuasarsHutching29

CanadaGMOSGNAJ2003The Outer Regions of Nearby GalaxiesDavidge 37

BrazilPHOENIXGSAJ2003Fluorine Abundance in the Large MagCunha +340

BrazilOSCIRGSAJ2003Gemini Mid Infrared ImagingBarbosa +444

CanadaHolupaaGNApJ2000The Peak BrightnessDavidge +61

USAHokupaaGNApJ2000Chandra X-ray Observatory Kastner +32

USAOSCIRGNApJ2001Deep 10 micronPerlman +64

USAOSCIRGNApJ2002Mid-Infrared DectectionDe Buizer 6

CanadaOSCIRGNApJ2002Massive Binary WR 112Marchenko +47

USAHokupaaGNApJ2002An Adaptive Optics SearchLuhman +19

USAHokupaaGNApJ2002Discovery of 0.15" Brown Dwarf Close +610

USAHokupaaGNApJ2002An Adaptive Optics Survey of M8-M9Close +411

UofHHokupaaGNApJ2002Hokupaa-Gemini Discovery Potter +612

USAHokupaaGNApJ2002Discovery of an Edge-On DiskJayawardhana +313

UofHHokupaaGNApJ2002Crossing the Brown Dwarf DesertLiu +514

CanadaOSCIRGNApJ2002Subarcsec Mid-Infrared ImagingKwok +115

BelgiumHokupaaGNApJ2002Cosmic AlignmentCourbin +116

GeminiGMOSGNApJ2002Gemini Multi-Object Spetrograph ObsLedlow +523

USAHokupaaGNApJ2002Titan's CloudsRoe +327

USAHokupaaGNApJ2003Discovery of Bright Brown DwarfFreed +228

USAOSCIRGNApJ2003Mid Infrared Imaging of ProtostellarCiardi +631

CanadaOSCIRGNApJ2003Interactions between a Bright YoungRedman +533

USAOSCIRGNApJ2003Resolved Mid Infrared Emission Radomski +34

USAHokupaaGNApJ2003Detection of Nine M8.0-L0.5 BinariesClose +335

CanadaNIRIGNApJ2003A Major Soft Gamma Repeater-like Kaspi 36

USAHokupaaGNApJ2003High Resolution ImagesClose +41

USAFLAMINGOSGSApJ2003Gemini South + FLAMINGOS DemonsStern +742

UKGMOSGNApJ2003Galaxies under the Cosmic MicroscopeSwinbank +943

UKGMOSGNExp Astro2002Integral Field SpectoscopyAllington-Smith +75

KoreaHokupaaGNKKAS2002Gemini Near-IR Photometry of the ArcYang +319

UKACQCAMGSMNRAS2003Fast Photometry of QuiescentHynes +532

UKOSCIRGNMNRAS2003Mid Infrared Imaging of the Dust ShellGledhill +139

BrazilHokupaaGNPASP2001The Infrared EmissionDiaz +23

UKGMOSGNPASP2002Integral Field SpectroscopyAllington-Smith +917

GeminiHokupaaGNPASP2002Hokupa'a Anisoplanatism Flicker +118

CanadaGMOSGNPASP2002Deep griz GMOS imagingDavidge24

Bibcode

Country of PI Author

Gemini Publication per Country

journal

NumberAuthorsTitleYearJournalTelescopeInstrumentCountryBibcode

25Stolte +3The Mass Function of the Arches2002AAGNGMOSGermany

30LeFloch +13Are the Host of Gamma Ray Bursts2003AAGNHokupaaFrance

38Crowther +4Gemini Observations of Wolf-Rayet2003AAGNGMOSUK

8Vacca +2N-Band Observations of Henize 2-102002AJGNOSCIRUSA

20Plante +1The Embedded Super Star Cluster2002AJGNOSCIRCanada

21DavidgeThe Upper Asymptotic Giant Branch2002AJGNGMOSCanada

22Stephens +1The Structure and Stellar Content2002AJGNHokupaaUSA

26Smith +12Chemical Abundances in 12 Red2002AJGSPHOENIXUSA

29HutchingHost Galaxies of z=4.7 Quasars2003AJGNNIRICanada

37DavidgeThe Outer Regions of Nearby Galaxies2003AJGNGMOSCanada

40Cunha +3Fluorine Abundance in the Large Mag2003AJGSPHOENIXBrazil

44Barbosa +4Gemini Mid Infrared Imaging2003AJGSOSCIRBrazil

1Davidge +6The Peak Brightness2000ApJGNHolupaaCanada

2Kastner +3Chandra X-ray Observatory2000ApJGNHokupaaUSA

4Perlman +6Deep 10 micron2001ApJGNOSCIRUSA

6De BuizerMid-Infrared Dectection2002ApJGNOSCIRUSA

7Marchenko +4Massive Binary WR 1122002ApJGNOSCIRCanada

9Luhman +1An Adaptive Optics Search2002ApJGNHokupaaUSA

10Close +6Discovery of 0.15" Brown Dwarf2002ApJGNHokupaaUSA

11Close +4An Adaptive Optics Survey of M8-M92002ApJGNHokupaaUSA

12Potter +6Hokupaa-Gemini Discovery2002ApJGNHokupaaUofH

13Jayawardhana +3Discovery of an Edge-On Disk2002ApJGNHokupaaUSA

14Liu +5Crossing the Brown Dwarf Desert2002ApJGNHokupaaUofH

15Kwok +1Subarcsec Mid-Infrared Imaging2002ApJGNOSCIRCanada

16Courbin +1Cosmic Alignment2002ApJGNHokupaaBelgium

23Ledlow +5Gemini Multi-Object Spetrograph Obs2002ApJGNGMOSGemini

27Roe +3Titan's Clouds2002ApJGNHokupaaUSA

28Freed +2Discovery of Bright Brown Dwarf2003ApJGNHokupaaUSA

31Ciardi +6Mid Infrared Imaging of Protostellar2003ApJGNOSCIRUSA

33Redman +5Interactions between a Bright Young2003ApJGNOSCIRCanada

34Radomski +Resolved Mid Infrared Emission2003ApJGNOSCIRUSA

35Close +3Detection of Nine M8.0-L0.5 Binaries2003ApJGNHokupaaUSA

36KaspiA Major Soft Gamma Repeater-like2003ApJGNNIRICanada

41Close +High Resolution Images2003ApJGNHokupaaUSA

42Stern +7Gemini South + FLAMINGOS Demons2003ApJGSFLAMINGOSUSA

43Swinbank +9Galaxies under the Cosmic Microscope2003ApJGNGMOSUK

5Allington-Smith +7Integral Field Spectoscopy2002Exp AstroGNGMOSUK

19Yang +3Gemini Near-IR Photometry of the Arc2002KKASGNHokupaaKorea

32Hynes +5Fast Photometry of Quiescent2003MNRASGSACQCAMUK

39Gledhill +1Mid Infrared Imaging of the Dust Shell2003MNRASGNOSCIRUK

3Diaz +2The Infrared Emission2001PASPGNHokupaaBrazil

17Allington-Smith +9Integral Field Spectroscopy2002PASPGNGMOSUK

18Flicker +1Hokupa'a Anisoplanatism2002PASPGNHokupaaGemini

24DavidgeDeep griz GMOS imaging2002PASPGNGMOSCanada

AA3

AJ9

ApJ24

Exp Astro1

KKAS1

MNRAS2

PASP4

journal

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Chart2

131012116217

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

France

Gemini

Germany

Korea

UK

UofH

USA

Country

Number of publications

Publications per country of first author

country


1Davidge +6The Peak Brightness2000ApJGNHolupaaCanada












































46Hodapp +13The Gemini Near-Infrared Imager2003PASPGNNIRIUofH

47Beck +3Three-Dimensional2004AJGNGMOSGemini

48Savaglio +11The Gemini Deep Deep Survey: II2004ApJGNGMOSUSA

49Geballe +3A Bow Shock of Heated Dust2004ApJGNHokupaaGemini

instrument






























1Davidge +6The Peak Brightness2000ApJGNHokupaaCanada
















ACQCAM1

FLAMINGOS1

GMOS9

Hokupaa18

NIRI2

OSCIR11

PHOENIX2

Chart4

1

3

10

1

4

1

1

6

3

18

Country

Number of Publications

Publications per country of first author

Chart3

Instrument

1

1

11

18

3

11

2

Publications and Gemini instruments

Counts

YearJournalTelescopeInstrumentCountry

20012AA3Gemini North43ACQCAM1Belgium1

200223ApJ26Gemini South5FLAMINGOS1Brazil3

200318Exp Astro1GMOS11Canada10

20043KKAS1Hokupaa18France1

MNRAS2NIRI3Gemini4

PASP5OSCIR11Germany1

PHOENIX2Korea1

UK6

UofH3

USA18

Belgium1

Brazil3

Canada10

France1

Gemini2

Germany1

Korea1

UK6

UofH2

USA17

Sheet3

Australian publications 2004 MNRF Symp Croom et al. 2004, Gemini imaging of QSO host galaxies at z~2, Ap.J., 606, 126.Melatos et al. 2004, Rapid variability of subarcsecond shock structure in the Crab Nebula, Ap.J. (submitted).Forbes et al. 2004, Gemini/GMOS photometry of globular clusters in the Virgo galaxy NGC4649, MNRAS (submitted).Stanway, Glazebrook,..Boyle, Colless, Couch et al. 2004, Three Ly emitters at z~6: Early Gemini/GMOS data from the GLARE project, Ap.J., 604, L13.

14. Matthew T. Whiting, Rachel L. Webster, Paul J. Francis (2005). ``Probing the Line-of-Sight Environment to PKS2126-158 with Gemini/GMOS'', Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, submitted. 13. A. Melatos, D. Scheltus, M.T. Whiting, S.S. Eikenberry, R.W. Romani, F. Rigaut, A. Spitovsky, J. Arons, D.J.B. Payne (2005). ``Near-Infrared Millihertz Variability of the Wisps and Jet in the Crab Pulsar Wind Nebula'', Astrophysical Journal, submitted. 12. J. Bland-Hawthorn, M. Vlajic, K.C. Freeman, B.T. Draine (2005). ``NGC 300: An Extremely Faint, Outer Stellar Disk Observed to 10 Scale Lengths'', Astrophysical Journal, in press. 11. Randall B. Wayth, Matthew O'Dowd, Rachel L. Webster (2005). ``A Microlensing Measurement of the Size of the Broad Emission Line Region in the Lensed QSO 2237+0305'', Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,359, p. 561-566. 10. Kalirai, J.S., Richer, H.B., Reitzel, D., Hansen, B.M.S., Rich, R.M., Fahlman, G.G., Gibson, B.K., von Hippel, T. (2005). ``The Initial-Final Mass Relationship: Spectroscopy of White Dwarfs in NGC 2099 (M37)'', Astrophysical Journal (Letters),618, p. L123-L127. 9. Da Costa G.S. (2004). ``The Stellar Populations of dE Galaxies in Nearby Groups'', Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, 21, p. 366-370.8. Forbes D.A., Faifer F.R., Forte J.C., Bridges T., Beasley M.A., Gebhardt K., Hanes D.A., Sharples R., Zepf S.E. (2004).``Gemini GMOS imaging of globular clusters in the Virgo galaxy NGC 4649 (M60)'', Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 355, p. 608-616. 7. Smith J.K., Bunker A.J., Vogt N.P., Abraham R.G., Aragon-Salamanca A., Bower R.G., Parry I.R., Sharp R.S., Swinbank A.M. (2004). ``H-alpha Kinematics of a z~ 1 Disc Galaxy from Near-infrared Integral Field Spectroscopy'', Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 354, p. L19-L23. 6. de Grijs R., Smith L.J., Bunker A., Sharp R.G., Gallagher J.S., Anders P., Lancon A., O'Connell R.W., Parry I.R. (2004). ``CIRPASS Near-infrared Integral-Field Spectroscopy of Massive Star Clusters in the Starburst Galaxy NGC 1140'', Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 352, p. 263-276. 5. Croom S.M., Schade D., Boyle B.J., Shanks T., Miller L., Smith R.J. (2004). ``Gemini Imaging of QSO Host Galaxies at z~2'', Astrophysical Journal, 606, p. 126-138. 4. Stanway E.R., Glazebrook K., Bunker A.J., Abraham R.G., Hook I., Rhoads J., McCarthy P.J., Boyle B., Colless M., Crampton D., Couch W., Jorgensen I., Malhotra S., Murowinski R., Roth K., Savaglio S., Tsvetanov Z. (2004). ``Three Ly alpha Emitters at z ~ 6: Early GMOS/Gemini Data from the GLARE Project'', Astrophysical Journal, 604, p. L13-L16. 3. Sharp R.G., Parry I.R., Ryder S.D., Knapen J.H., Mazzuca L.M. (2004). ``Age-dating a Star-Burst with GEMINI/CIRPASS Observations of the Core of M83'', Astronomische Nachrichten, 325, p. 108-111. 2. Smith V.V., Hinkle K.H., Cunha K., Plez B., Lambert D.L., Pilachowski C.A., Barbuy B., Melendez J., Balachandran S., Bessell M.S., Geisler D.P., Hesser J.E., Winge C. (2002). ``Chemical Abundances in 12 Red Giants of the Large Magellanic Cloud from High-Resolution Infrared Spectroscopy'', Astronomical Journal, 124, p. 3241-3254. 1. Davidge T.J., Da Costa G.S., Jorgensen I., Allington-Smith J.R. (2002). ``The M31 Dwarf Spheroidal Companion Andromeda V: g', r', and i' Imaging with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph on Gemini North'', Astronomical Journal, 124, p. 886-895. (Please advise the Australian Gemini Office of any publication oversights)Australian publications 2005 MNRF Symp

AGSC felt that this represented a strategic opportunity for the Australian community to make a substantial scientific impact with the Gemini telescopes during the lifetime of the MNRF program.

Consequently, AGSC recommended that 15-20 nights on Gemini-S be purchased from the UK (subject to an acceptable price per night) for use in semesters 2005A and B, with the expectation of purchasing a similar amount of time for use in 2006. The intention is that these additional nights would be allocated by ATAC, but that they would be directed towards Australian programs of larger scope and potential impact than are currently supported. ASGC will generate guidelines for such programs and distribute an Announcement of Opportunity well in advance of the semester deadline. Purchase of Nights on Gemini-S from the UKRecommendation to AABoM at its June 2004 meeting.

Purchase of Nights on Gemini-S from the UKDecember 2004 agreement reached with PPARC in UK for Australia to buy a total of 24 nights on Gemini-South 8 nights in each of the semesters 2005B, 2006A, 2006B for a cost of US$1.5M ($US62.5K per night)

Gemini NorthGemini SouthavailreqDemand for Gemini time from Aus communityExtra 8 nights osubd by factor of x 2.84Starting in 2005B, Aus GN time swapped with Canadian GS time, to balance demand

International DevelopmentsAustralian Astronomy MNRF SymposiumATNF Marsfield, 7 June 2005

Successful commissioning of laser guide star facility at Gemini-North13W solid-state diode laser built by Coherent Tech, along with beam transfer optics system, and laser launch telescope now installed on Gemini-North.First light propagation took place on night of 1-2 May; running at 7W, it produced a 9.3 mag artifical guide star, ~1.5arcsec in size.Science commissioning for use with ALTAIR/NIRI and ALTAIR/ NIFS to take place in Q4, 2005.

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Aspen Instrumentation Program

Aspen 2003 WorkshopMeeting held in June 2003Attended by ~100 astronomers which represented interests of many more astronomers world wideKey product of the meeting was a set of fundamental questions in astronomy that would serve as the basis of the scientific strategic plan for the Observatory

Aspen 2003 WorkshopMatterHow do galaxies form?What is the nature of dark matter on galactic scales?What is the relationship between super massive black holes and galaxies? EnergyWhat is dark energy? How did the cosmic dark age end?LifeHow common are extrasolar planets, including earth-like planets?How do star and planetary systems form?How do stars process elements into the chemical building blocks of life?

Three Universes: Two Telescopes: One ObservatoryGSC IN CONFIDENCE

Mapping Questions to Capabilities


Moving into Experimental Physics


Moving into Experimental Physics


The continued pursuit of an integrated Planet Program HabitableZoneClassicalAdaptive Optics ImagingALTAIRGSAOI Multi- channelcoronagraphsNICI

1 AU10 AU100 AU5 MJ50 MJ0.5 MJ0.05 MJExtremeadaptiveopticsImagingExAOCInfraredreflex spec.HRNIRSAround low-mass starsAround solar-type starsEarthsSeparation from starPlanet Mass (MJ)Lu et al (2002), Gemini North10-410-510-610-710-810-3Contrast

2003 Gemini Board Meeting3-stage development program proposed/endorsed by the BoardBegin design studies for an Extreme Adaptive Optics Coronagraph (ExAOC) and High Resolution Near Infrared Spectrometer (HRNIRS)Begin feasibility studies for a Wide Field Optical Fiber-fed MOS (WFMOS) and Ground Layer Adaptive Optics (GLAO) systemExamine options for pursuing science goals identified in Aspen via modifications to existing/planned instruments and/or visitor instruments

May 2004: AAO-led team selected to undertake WFMOS feasibility study

This instrument, as recognized through the Aspen process, has the potential to make lasting contributions in a number of scientific areas of direct interest to the Australian community. It is important therefore, that the feasibility study, being carried out by the AAO together with a number of other institutions across the Gemini partnership, be carried out as thoroughly and completely as possible.

Consequently, AGSC recommended that the $239k requested by the AAO to support the feasibility study be supported. This amount represents 50% of the AAOs cost of involvement in the feasibility study, after allowing for the AAOs share of the available Gemini funding. The other 50% comes from AAO matching (in-kind) funds.MNRF support for the AAO WFMOS studyRecommendation to AABoM at its June 2004 meeting.

Key milestones in 2005Feb 2005: Concept design studies (for ExAOC & HRNIRS) and feasibility studies (for WFMOS & GLAO) completed; total cost of these Aspen instruments (including 30% contingency) is ~US$100M.April 2005: Gemini Finance Committee meets and commits to a US$75M funding envelope for the Aspen instrumentation package over the years 2006-2010 (at least for planning purposes).May 2005: Gemini Board meets & considers options

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Board ResolutionsThe Board accepts the recommendation of the WFMOS review team that WFMOS proceed only if it can be implemented on Subaru.The Board asks the Director to bring the options for instrumentation packages that fall within the budget planning envelope and his recommended instrumentation plan to the GSC. The Board anticipates that the GSC will provide recommendations to the Director concerning how well various packages achieve the high priority Aspen science goals, discuss whether plans for phasing are optimum, and consider ways to maintain options for Aspen instruments that are not yet in conceptual design phases.

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GSC meeting 1 June 2005Key outcomes/recommendations:Unanimous support for WFMOS and the Subaru option, on the basis of its outstanding Physics of the Universe science and ensuring breadth in Aspen capabilities.Gemini should proceed immediately with a pair of competitive design studies, to be completed by October 2006.Engage in negotiations with Japanese community to reach, with speed, a firm commitment on both sides, and to enter into arrangements that promote successful scientific, technical & operational collaboration.

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Reaching closureBoard will make its final decisions re a final Aspen instrument package tomorrow, when it is due to meet by telecon..

The search for a new Gemini Director.2005.A.11 The Board notes, with considerably mixed feelings, the announced intention of its Director to assume the leadership of another of the worlds premier astronomical organizations, the Space Telescope Science Institute. From the time of his appointment as Project Scientist through his tenure as Director, Dr. Mountain has shown exceptional vision, skill, knowledge and energy in bringing the Gemini Observatory from plans on paper to the first-rate research facility it is today. Matt Mountain: International Gemini Project Scientist 1992-1994Gemini Director 1994-2005