Program: GN-2013B-Q-23

The intermediate Palomar Transient Factory (iPTF) has begun a systematic exploration of the transient sky on short timescales. Building on the PTF legacy, iPTF has a new software pipeline. Follow-up is valued as much as discovery. PTF discovered and classified 1861 transients and published over 57 papers in three years. Our previous Gemini-PTF program successfully obtained the crucial first spectrum of multiple transients that bridge the six-magnitude luminosity gap between the brightest novae and faintest supernovae. We also obtained very early spectra of supernovae caught in their infancy. iPTF emphasizes even faster cadence in search of even more ephemeral transients and young supernovae. Therefore, rapid response spectroscopy is critical in identifying elusive transients and promptly triggering a timely multi-wavelength follow-up campaign. Here, we request a total of seven target-of-opportunity triggers on the Gemini-South and Gemini-North telescopes (8.4 hours). We have ongoing programs for complementary follow-up: optical/NIR with Palomar/Magellan/APO/Keck, UV/X-ray with the Swift satellite and radio with JVLA/CARMA.