Dr. Atsuko Nitta Profile

Dr. Atsuko Nitta

Observatory Scientist/Head of Science Operations, Northern Operations Ctr. at Gemini Observatory

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Publications (9)

Proceedings Article | 25 July 2024 Presentation + Paper

Managing the unexpected complexities of a remotely operated, multi-hemisphere, international observatory: Gemini queue, commissioning, ToOs, lasers, and more

Atsuko Nitta, Andrew Stephens, Andy Adamson, S. Kleinman, Bryan Miller, Kathleen Labrie, Marie Lemoine-Busserolle, Joanna Thomas-Osip, André-Nicolas Chené, Paul Hirst, Fredrik Rantakyrö, Andrew Serio

Proceedings Volume 13098, 130981L (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019390

KEYWORDS: Gemini Observatory, Telescopes, Equipment, Observatories, Environmental monitoring, Ferroelectric materials, Astronomy, Windows, Sensors, Engineering

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Proceedings Article | 19 July 2024 Poster

ALTAIR, Gemini North SCAO: challenges and performances review

Christophe Clergeon, John White, Eduardo Tapia, Andrew Stephens, Thomas Schneider, Emma Kurz, Jesse Ball, Hawi Stecher, Atsuko Nitta, Vincent Garrel, Garima Singh, Julian Christou, Andy Adamson

Proceedings Volume 13096, 130969I (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020913

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Proceedings Article | 10 July 2018 Presentation + Paper

Past and future evolution of Gemini operations

S. Margheim, A. Adamson, A. Nitta, S. Leggett, R. Rutten, B. Miller, I. Jørgensen, M. Andersen

Proceedings Volume 10704, 107041P (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2313806

KEYWORDS: Gemini Observatory, Observatories, Telescopes, Large Synoptic Survey Telescope, Astronomy, Adaptive optics, LIGO, Efficient operations

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Proceedings Article | 16 August 2016 Paper

Gemini Observatory base facility operations: systems engineering process and lessons learned

Andrew Serio, Martin Cordova, Gustavo Arriagada, Andy Adamson, Madeline Close, Dolores Coulson, Atsuko Nitta, Arturo Nunez

Proceedings Volume 9911, 99110U (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2231831

KEYWORDS: Ferroelectric materials, Gemini Observatory, Systems engineering, Observatories, Telescopes, Safety, Control systems, Clouds, Document management, Cameras

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Proceedings Article | 10 August 2016 Paper

Management aspects of Gemini's base facility operations project

Gustavo Arriagada, Atsuko Nitta, A. Adamson, Arturo Nunez, Andrew Serio, Martin Cordova

Proceedings Volume 9911, 99111R (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2232124

KEYWORDS: Ferroelectric materials, Observatories, Earthquakes, Gemini Observatory, Telescopes, Control systems, Photonic integrated circuits, Safety, Document management, Sensors

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Gemini’s Base Facilities Operations (BFO) Project provided the capabilities to perform routine nighttime operations without anyone on the summit. The expected benefits were to achieve money savings and to become an enabler of the future development of remote operations.

The project was executed using a tailored version of Prince2 project management methodology.

It was schedule driven and managing it demanded flexibility and creativity to produce what was needed, taking into consideration all the constraints present at the time: Time available to implement BFO at Gemini North (GN), two years.

The project had to be done in a matrix resources environment.

There were only three resources assigned exclusively to BFO.

The implementation of new capabilities had to be done without disrupting operations.

And we needed to succeed, introducing the new operational model that implied Telescope and instrumentation Operators (Science Operations Specialists - SOS) relying on technology to assess summit conditions.

To meet schedule we created a large number of concurrent smaller projects called Work Packages (WP).

To be reassured that we would successfully implement BFO, we initially spent a good portion of time and effort, collecting and learning about user’s needs. This was done through close interaction with SOSs, Observers, Engineers and Technicians.

Once we had a clear understanding of the requirements, we took the approach of implementing the "bare minimum" necessary technology that would meet them and that would be maintainable in the long term.

Another key element was the introduction of the "gradual descent" concept. In this, we increasingly provided tools to the SOSs and Observers to prevent them from going outside the control room during nighttime operations, giving them the opportunity of familiarizing themselves with the new tools over a time span of several months. Also, by using these tools at an early stage, Engineers and Technicians had more time for debugging, problem fixing and systems usage and servicing training as well.

Proceedings Article | 9 August 2016 Paper

Meeting the challenges of bringing a new base facility operation model to Gemini Observatory

Atsuko Nitta, Gustavo Arriagada, A. Adamson, Martin Cordova, Arturo Nunez, Andrew Serio, Scot Kleinman

Proceedings Volume 9911, 99111Q (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2232084

KEYWORDS: Gemini Observatory, Telescopes, Systems modeling, Ferroelectric materials, Observatories, Phase modulation, Systems engineering, Lead, Environmental monitoring, Control systems

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Proceedings Article | 12 July 2008 Paper

Lessons learned from Sloan Digital Sky Survey operations

S. Kleinman, J. Gunn, B. Boroski, D. Long, S. Snedden, A. Nitta, J. Krzesiński, M. Harvanek, E. Neilsen, B. Gillespie, J. Barentine, A. Uomoto, D. Tucker, D. York, S. Jester

Proceedings Volume 7016, 70160B (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789612

KEYWORDS: Astronomy, Telescopes, Software development, Spectroscopy, Observatories, Calibration, Astrophysics, Data acquisition, Computing systems, Signal to noise ratio

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Proceedings Article | 30 September 2004 Paper

Mass-producing spectra: the SDSS spectrographic system

Peter Newman, Dan Long, Stephanie Snedden, S. Kleinman, Atsuko Nitta, Michael Harvanek, Jurek Krzesinski, Howard Brewington, J. Barentine, Eric Neilsen, David Schlegel

Proceedings Volume 5492, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.541394

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Spectrographs, Imaging spectroscopy, Stars, Calibration, Imaging systems, Mirrors, Spectroscopy, Databases, Observatories

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Proceedings Article | 13 December 2002 Paper

Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope performance monitor

Peregrine McGehee, Jon Brinkmann, Constance Rockosi, Dan Long, Stephanie Snedden, S. Kleinman, Atsuko Nitta, Michael Harvanek, Peter Newman, Eric Neilsen, Jurek Krzesinski

Proceedings Volume 4848, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.461434

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Mirrors, Data archive systems, Control systems, Observatories, Microchannel plates, Imaging systems, Fluctuations and noise, Human-machine interfaces, Binary data

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Showing 5 of 9 publications

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