Gemini's Near Infrared Imager is nearing completion. Klaus Hodapp (PI at the University of Hawaii), is installing the final components, completing dewar wiring, and performing optical alignment in anticipation of completing the final cooldown and passing the pre-ship acceptance test early this fall.
The Gemini Near Infrared Spectrograph team is pushing ahead after a successful Restart Review held 20-21 July. The review committee found the redesign effort was proceeding at the proper pace for completion of the instrument in 2002. The technical problems detailed by the committee last Fall have all been addressed. Jay Elias (Instrument Scientist), Neil Gaughan (Project Manager), and their team are to be congratulated on six months of very long hours spent getting this instrument back on track. The computer-based 3-D engineering model of the instrument will be complete early in 2000, at which point fabrication of parts will begin.
The Thermal Region Camera and Spectrograph, designed to operate in the 8 µm to 26 µm region (N and Q bands), completed its Critical Design Review (CDR) the last week in July. No major problems were uncovered, so while addressing the usual issues raised at outside reviews, the team will let contracts for optical fabrication and will begin to manufacture parts. Essentially all mechanical fabrication drawings were completed in time for the CDR, which may be a record for Gemini instruments.
The instrument concept has grown somewhat from a simple imager by the addition, at the recommendation of the Gemini Science Committee and the approval of the Gemini Board, of a spectrographic capability of R = 100 and 1000 at N, and R = 90 at Q. This was done without sacrificing the diffraction-limited imaging performance. Immediately after the CDR, most of the review committee stayed on for the Safety Review and were joined by the University of Florida's safety officer. No major safety issues were identified. Charles Telesco (PI) and Tom Kisko (Project Manager) are justly proud of the performance of their small and effective team.
The Near Infrared Coronagraph/Imager contract is now underway, with Mauna Kea Infrared leading its team in a conceptual design study. Doug Toomey (Project Engineer) is overseeing an outstanding instrument team that includes Christ Ftaclas, a noted expert in coronagraphic design and mask apodization techniques. In early 2000, this team will present its findings, leading into the fabrication phase of this NASA-funded instrument.
Gemini is undertaking to produce a wide-field near infrared multi-object spectrograph for its southern telescope. Proposals were received in late July for a short design study to begin this autmumn.
Mark Trueblood