August 2026 Fast Turnaround Call for Gemini

11 August, 2026

Dear Gemini Users,

A reminder: the Fast Turnaround (FT) proposal deadline is at the end of this month, 31 August, at 12:00 (noon) Hawai'i Standard Time.  Accepted proposals will be active in the queue from 1 October to 31 December 2026.  Proposals for both Gemini North and Gemini South will be accepted this month.  This is the third FT Call of 2026B.  As of last month, Canada had 18.8 hours of nominal (80%-ile) time on North, and 12.2 hours on South.

Available on Gemini North this cycle: GMOS-N, GNIRS (with the ShortRed camera offered in shared-risk mode); plus IGRINS-2, MAROON-X and `Alopeke in scheduled blocks. If you require 'Alopeke outside of scheduled blocks, please check with the FT team prior to submission.  Altair is offered in NGS mode only.  Gemini South offers GMOS-S, F2 (possibly with MOS mode, with demand) and GHOST.  Zorro is offered; if required outside of scheduled blocks, please check with the FT team prior to submission.  See the 2026B semester schedule to check for instrument availability, although contacting the Gemini FT team at fast.turnaround@gemini.edu is recommended if you have questions.

Please be reminded to follow the Dual Anonymous Review Process (DARP) guidelines.  Make sure to use the Fast Turnaround proposal templates (simpler than for regular proposals); all the current instrument availabilities and other details are listed the latest FT Call for Proposals at: https://www.gemini.edu/observing/phase-i/ft/ft-cfp

Eric Steinbring

Canadian Gemini Office