The Gemini North Adaptive Optics (GNAO) facility is the upcoming Adaptive Optics (AO) facility for Gemini North providing a state-of-the-art AO system for surveys and time domain science in the era of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Rubin operations. GNAO will be optimized to feed the Gemini Infrared Multi Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS).
The GNAO project includes the development of a new laser guide star facility which will consist of four side launched laser beams supporting the two primary AO modes of GNAO: a wide-field mode providing an improved image quality over natural seeing for a 2-arcminute circular field-of-view using Ground Layer AO (GLAO) and a narrow-field mode providing near diffraction-limited performance over a 20 × 20 arcsecond square field-of-view using Laser Tomography AO (LTAO).
After a competitive phase A study among three teams for the conceptual design of the AO bench, one team has been selected to complete the design, build and commissioning it at the telescope. We will be presenting the overall GNAO facility design, including specifics related to the AO bench and its architectural design. We will provide updates on all subsystems of the facility.
Gemini Observatory commissioned a SDSU (ARC) detector controller (DC) replacement for the aging GNAAC DC for the Gemini Near Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS). The focus of this paper is on the iterative development approach that led to a unique Python-based DC. We leveraged the stability and modern technology of the Gemini Data System (GDS) and Gemini Instrument API (GIAPI) to facilitate communication between the DC and the Gemini telescope systems. Another core innovation was to implement a Python version of the Gemini specific CAD/CAR EPICS records which allowed us to switch from an EPICS Input Output Controller (IOC) to a Caproto Python IOC. These innovations allow the Python based DC to communicate with all of the many Gemini systems required to process GNIRS observations. The use of a Python based DC enhances the system's functionality but also simplifies future updates and maintenance. Our paper delves into the team-centric iterative development process, the software engineering challenges, and the initial operational performance, emphasizing the software's role in modernizing the observatory's infrastructure.
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