2018 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT OF THE GEMINI OBSERVATORY Table of Contents 1 Introduction & Science Highlights ..................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Science Highlights ......................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Proposal and Publication Statistics ............................................................................................... 8 2 Finance & Staffing ............................................................................................................................. 9 2.1 Finance .......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Budget ........................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Partner Contributions ........................................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Financial Results for the Year 2018 ..................................................................................... 10 2.2.3 O&M 2018 Budget vs Actual Variance Analysis .................................................................. 11 2.3 Organization and Staffing ........................................................................................................... 14 3 Science and Engineering Operations .............................................................................................. 14 3.1 Regular Operations ..................................................................................................................... 14 3.1.1 Operations Metrics ............................................................................................................. 15 3.1.2 Telescope Time Usage ......................................................................................................... 17 3.1.3 Regular Semester: Oversubscription and Demand ............................................................. 17 3.2 Science and Engineering Operations Core Projects and Goals ................................................... 18 3.2.1 Real-time Software Upgrades ............................................................................................. 18 3.2.2 LSST Fiber Optic Network Connection ................................................................................ 19 3.2.3 LSST Follow-up System Integration ..................................................................................... 19 3.2.4 Science Operations Improvements ..................................................................................... 19 3.2.5 Gemini North Energy Savings .............................................................................................. 20 3.3 Information Technology Services (ITS) ....................................................................................... 20 3.4 Software ...................................................................................................................................... 22 3.4.1 Observatory Control System (OCS) upgrade ....................................................................... 22 3.4.2 Telescope Control Console (TCC) software upgrade .......................................................... 23 3.5 Longevity ..................................................................................................................................... 24 3.6 Science Research ......................................................................................................................... 24 4 Science User Support ...................................................................................................................... 25 4.1 Creation of a New Public Website .............................................................................................. 25 4.2 Data Reduction Software and Documentation Development .................................................... 26 4.3 Gemini Science & Users Meeting 2018 ....................................................................................... 27 5 Instrumentation and Facility Development .................................................................................... 28 5.1 GHOST ......................................................................................................................................... 28 2018 Annual Report of the Gemini Observatory i 5.2 SCORPIO (formerly OCTOCAM) ................................................................................................... 29 5.3 Gemini North Toptica Laser Guide Star ...................................................................................... 29 5.4 GPI Relocation Studies ................................................................................................................ 30 5.5 Visiting Instruments .................................................................................................................... 30 5.6 Instrument Upgrades .................................................................................................................. 31 5.6.1 Instrument Upgrade Program ............................................................................................. 31 5.6.2 GNIRS Detector Controller .................................................................................................. 32 5.7 Altair RTC Upgrades .................................................................................................................... 33 5.8 GeMS NGS2 ................................................................................................................................. 33 6 Administration & Facilities and Safety ............................................................................................ 34 6.1 Administration and Facilities ...................................................................................................... 34 6.2 Safety .......................................................................................................................................... 35 7 Public Information and Outreach ................................................................................................... 35 8 External Relations ........................................................................................................................... 41 8.1 Strategic Plan for Beyond 2021 ................................................................................................... 42 9 Transition to NCOA ......................................................................................................................... 43 10 Human Resources .......................................................................................................................... 43 Appendix A. Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................... 1 Appendix B. Publications by Staff ................................................................................................................ 4 B.1 Staff Refereed Publications ................................................................................................................ 4 B.2 Staff Non-Refereed Publications ........................................................................................................ 9 Appendix C. Publications by Users ............................................................................................................. 15 Appendix D. Science Programs 2017B and 2018A ..................................................................................... 32 D.1 2017B Science Programs - Gemini North ........................................................................................ 32 D.2 2017B Science Programs - Gemini South ........................................................................................ 36 D.3 2018A Science Programs - Gemini North ........................................................................................ 41 D.4 2018A Science Programs – Gemini South ........................................................................................ 46 Appendix E. Organizational Chart ............................................................................................................... 51 Appendix F. Staff Accomplishments ........................................................................................................... 53 F.1 AURA Awards ................................................................................................................................... 53 F.1.1 Science Award ........................................................................................................................... 53 F.1.2 Service Award ............................................................................................................................ 53 F.1.3 Team Award .............................................................................................................................. 54 F.2 Invited Talks...................................................................................................................................... 56 F.3 Press Release and Other .................................................................................................................