The first semester of open use on Gemini North will run from 15 June 2000 until 31 January 2001. Thereafter, semesters will coincide with the usual NOAO semesters, i.e., 1 February-31 July and 1 August-31 January. The first call for proposals (together with all information to support applications) will be in December 1999. We will inform potential proposers through a variety of media, including the Newsletter, direct email, and our Web pages. In this first semester, the US allocation (41.6%) is expected to be between 60 and 80 nights depending on the demand for engineering time.
The application process will consist of two phases. In Phase I, applicants will submit standard NOAO proposals through the usual Web-based process. The deadline for submission of these proposals will be 31 January 2000. These proposals will be evaluated by a US TAC and a ranked list of recommended proposals will be transmitted to the International Gemini Observatory (IGO). IGO will generate a draft queue and classical schedule with approximately correct proportional allocation to each of the seven Gemini partner country communities. An international TAC will meet in early April 2000, and final approval for the queue and schedule will be issued by the Gemini Director on or before 10 April 2000. A coordinated notification of the successful applicants by IGO and USGP will initiate the start of Phase II in which all queue, and most classical programs, will be defined in detail by the proposers using IGO's Observing Tool software.
Todd Boroson