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Organization | Gemini Consortium and AURA |
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Location | Mauna Kea, Hawai'i
Cerro Pachón, Chile |
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Coordinates |
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Altitude | 4200 m
2500 m |
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Webpage | Gemini Observatory |
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Telescopes |
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Gemini North | 8.1 m Cassegrain reflector |
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Gemini South | 8.1 m Cassegrain reflector |
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The is an astronomical observatory consisting of 8-metre
Telescope s at two different sites. The Gemini telescopes were built and are operated by a consortium consisting of the
United States ,
United Kingdom ,
Canada ,
Chile ,
Brazil ,
Argentina , and
Australia . This partnership is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), and the headquarters of the observatory are located in
Hilo ,
Hawaii .
One telescope (, also called the ''Frederick C. Gillett telescope'') is located on
Hawaii 's
Mauna Kea . Its location makes for excellent viewing conditions due to the superb atmospheric conditions on top of the over 4200 m (13,800 ft) high dormant volcano. It saw
First Light in
1999 and began scientific operations in
2000 .
The other () is located at over 2500 m (9000 ft) elevation on a mountain in the
Chile an
Andes called
Cerro Pachón . Very dry air and negligible cloud cover make this another prime telescope location (shared by several other observatories, including the
SOAR Telescope and
Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory ). Gemini South saw first light in
2000 .
The Gemini Observatory's international headquarters is located in
Hilo, Hawaii at the
University Of Hawaii at Hilo's University Park. The Gemini South base-facility is located on the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) campus in La Serena Chile.
Together, the twin Gemini telescopes provide complete unobstructed coverage of both the northern and southern skies. They are currently the among the largest and most advanced optical/
Infrared telescopes available to astronomers. Both employ a range of advanced technologies to deliver the highest quality images, including
Laser guide stars,
Adaptive Optics and multi-object
Spectroscopy . In addition, the two telescopes allow very high-quality infrared observations due to the advanced protected silver coating of their mirrors and advanced ventilation systems. Thanks to a high degree of
Networking , the Gemini telescopes can be operated remotely, and observations can be run when atmospheric conditions suit them best, reducing unnecessary travel by astronomers.
It is estimated that the two telescopes cost approximately
$ 184 million to construct, and a night on each Gemini telescope is worth about $40,000.
