Time domain astronomy with the next-generation Gemini-North adaptive optics facility

J. Scharwächter; G. Sivo; M. Lamb; J. Blakeslee; A. McConnachie; H. Suh; S. Sivanandam; A. Muzzin; M. Tschimmel; P. Hickson

doi:10.1117/12.3019162

25 July 2024 Time domain astronomy with the next-generation Gemini-North adaptive optics facility

J. Scharwächter, G. Sivo, M. Lamb, J. Blakeslee, A. McConnachie, H. Suh, S. Sivanandam, A. Muzzin, M. Tschimmel, P. Hickson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13098, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems X; 130981A (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019162
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

The International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab is currently developing GNAO, the next-generation adaptive optics (AO) facility for the 8-m Gemini-North telescope. GNAO’s primary science instrument will be the future Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) which will use the AO-compensated beam from GNAO to offer (i) wide-field near-infrared imaging with near diffraction-limited performance over fields of approximately 20 arcsec× 20 arcsec, (ii) seeing-enhanced imaging over fields of up to 85 arcsec×85 arcsec, and (iii) spatially-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy through up to four deployable integral field units. Time domain applications have played a major role in defining GNAO’s capabilities. As a queue-operated, 4-laser-guide-star adaptive optics system, GNAO will be a premier facility for following up gamma-ray bursts and transient multimessenger events at high angular resolution. This paper describes the operational requirements and concepts facilitating rapid-response observations with GNAO. We also present a preview of the anticipated sensitivity and astrometric performance when using GNAO together with the GIRMOS imaging mode.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

J. Scharwächter, G. Sivo, M. Lamb, J. Blakeslee, A. McConnachie, H. Suh, S. Sivanandam, A. Muzzin, M. Tschimmel, and P. Hickson "Time domain astronomy with the next-generation Gemini-North adaptive optics facility", Proc. SPIE 13098, Observatory Operations: Strategies, Processes, and Systems X, 130981A (25 July 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019162

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