For in-depth coverage of Gemini progress, see the Gemini Newsletter, which accompanies this issue of the NOAO Newsletter.
The USGP is planning to hold a workshop this fall to identify and quantify the capabilities (telescopes, instruments, surveys, software, etc.) required to support the Gemini telescopes and other large telescopes available to the US community. The discussion will be science based, with teams of astronomers assembled to work through observational programs end-to-end to understand requirements for (1) surveys and other precursor observations to identify objects for detailed study, and (2) astrometric and photometric information to support acquisition of targets and reference stars.
The results of this US workshop will be used to support a subsequent workshop at the Gemini international level, which is planned for November of this year. More information on the international workshop is available on the Gemini homepage http://www.gemini.edu.
Kathy Wood