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Target of Opportunity Process 

The Target of Opportunity (ToO) observing mode is intended to allow observation of targets that cannot be specified in advance but which have a well defined external trigger. Examples might include distant supernovae or Gamma Ray bursts. Proposals for the Target of Opportunity mode should be made via the normal proposal process, must select the ToO mode in the Program Information node of the Observations tab, and must summarise the trigger event (e.g. identification of a target brighter than a pre-determined threshold) in the proposal abstract (additional details can be included in the technical justification). Phase II templates must also be provided by the regular Phase II deadlines, even if the specific targets are unknown and will be completed at a later date. For other unforeseen events, see Director's Discretionary Time.

All Target of Opportunity observations will be executed in the queue mode by Gemini staff. As usual, all such proposals must specify the poorest acceptable conditions under which the observations should be executed, as if these conditions are too restrictive then the observations might not be carried out. The conditions must however be appropriate for the targets and desired science. Observations which are more flexible with respect to instrument configuration are also more likely to be executed (e.g., for choice of GMOS grating). After recommendation of the proposal by the NTAC and approval by the ITAC and Director, the observing conditions and configurations can only be changed via the queue change request process.

It is the responsibility of the PI to trigger execution of an observation in their program. Depending on the type of event, the trigger may lead to observations within 24 hours ("Rapid response") or 24 or more hours in the future  ("Standard triggers"). See details of the ToO activation process. A list of the active "Rapid Target of Opportunity" programs is available.

Target of Opportunity programs will be merged into the telescope queue, occupying one of the scientific ranking bands (see an example queue for details of the queue construction). Note that the override provided by the trigger event normally acts only on its own band. Thus if a ToO program falls in the topmost science ranking band it will be executed, observing conditions permitting, whereas a program in a lower band will not be executed if there is a higher-ranked program that is also suited to the conditions. Rapid Response programs will only be accepted if the relevant NTAC places them in Science Band 1.

All facility instruments that are offered for queue observing are available for ToO triggers, although GMOS MOS ToO programs are not accepted at this time. The instruments currently available for tonight, and details of the GMOS  North and South configurations, are kept up to date and are available for both the North and South telescopes. Standard ToO Gemini North laser guide star (LGS) observations are allowed; however, targets must be defined at least 8 days in advance of the start of the LGS observing block in which the observations are desired. We do offer limited LGS observations of Band 1 and 2 ToOs that are triggered less than a week before, or during, an LGS run. The observations must be made during a planned LGS run at the telescope. Also, only two such targets (for all programs) can be observed during any typically week-long LGS run, and only one such target (for all programs) can be observed on any given night. All effort will be made to approve and observe a target within 24 hours, however this cannot be guaranteed, and the observation may occur two or three nights after the trigger is made.

Data files are accessible from the Gemini Science Archive shortly after each observation has ended and the file has been written to disk. Mean ingestion times are approximately 30 - 38 minutes and median ingestion times are 12 - 15 minutes - see here for more information.

All questions concerning Target of Opportunity proposals should be made using the Gemini HelpDesk. This web-based system will send the request to your National Gemini Office staff in the first instance who will then escalate it to Gemini staff if necessary.


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Last update April 03, 2008; Rachel Mason