Gemini Frontier Fields Data Released

The first dataset from the Gemini Frontier Fields is now available to our user community. This strong lensing galaxy cluster is now also available in the near-infrared Ks-band at exceptionally high spatial resolution using the Gemini South multi-conjugate adaptive optics system.

Click through for more information: Gemini Frontier Field: First Data Now Available.

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Part of MACS J0416-2403 seen by GSAOI. The average angular resolution is about 80 milliarcseconds, the full field-of-view of the data released is nearly twice as large as shown here.

 

 

Announcing Gemini Science Fellowships

The Gemini Observatory is a partnership of six countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile and the United States. Forefront astronomical research is carried out with 8-m optical/infrared telescopes in Hawaii and Chile (see www.gemini.edu).

Gemini has an opening for one Science Fellow at each telescope – Gemini North, Hilo, Hawaii, and Gemini South, La Serena, Chile. These Science Fellow positions are for fixed three-year terms, with half of the Fellow’s time spent on personal research, and half on Observatory support duties. The Observatory expects to fill one position at each site annually, advertising in the 4th quarter for positions beginning in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of the following year.

The successful Science Fellow will propose a 3-year research program in which Gemini observations figure prominently. Individual scientific research is supported by a research budget, and a fraction of the time available on both Gemini telescopes is used for successful peer-reviewed staff proposals. Information on current and future instruments at each telescope can be found on the Gemini web pages. Fellows are members of the Gemini Research Faculty, actively and independently contributing to the research environment at the Observatory; collaboration with other Gemini staff is also encouraged.

Science Fellows at Gemini acquire significant training and experience in large ground-based telescope operations—becoming proficient both in state-of-the-art astronomical instrumentation and research, and in the techniques of modern, queue-based observing methods. Fellows may train as queue-scheduled observers and support external investigators in the preparation of their observations. Additional Observatory duties can include support of Gemini instrumentation, employing queue planning tools to construct nightly observing plans, and/or working on Observatory development projects, depending on the Fellow’s interests.

  • Location: La Serena, Chile and Hilo, Hawaii
  • Deadline for Application: 12/01/2014
  • Job Code: 14-0170

For more information on this, how to apply, and other openings with Gemini, please see the Career Opportunities with Gemini Observatory page.

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Gemini Responds to Vehicle Fire on Mauna Kea

Gemini’s quick-acting day crew responded earlier today to a (non-observatory) vehicle completely engulfed in flames adjacent to the Gemini North parking area on Mauna Kea – all Gemini vehicles were removed from the scene. Firefighter (and Gemini Safety Officer) John Vierra assured everyone’s safety and the vehicle eventually burned out.  No injuries were reported.

Video & images by Gemini Observatory/AURA staff member Simon Chan.

 

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A Very Young Moon

 

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A very young moon captured by Gemini Photographer Joy Pollard. 8/26/14 19:19:55 HST. The inset shows a close up of the moon.

Working in a place as spectacularly beautiful at Mauna Kea, every now and then I get the chance to image something new.  In this case very new!  The thin sliver of a crescent moon was roughly 15 hours old when the Sun’s reflected photons excited my camera’s CCD.  Engrossed in setting up for the night’s time-lapse sequence, for the current “COLOSSOS” run, I looked up to see this on the horizon. It took my breath away (and not just because of the thin air)! I was torn, I didn’t want to interrupt the already-in-progress time-lapse sequence; I had another camera, but it was back inside (and I couldn’t abandon the time-lapse rig).  So, I radioed the night-crew, and as luck would have it, Rosemary Pike, a visiting student observer from the University of Victoria, BC (and Co-Investigator for COLOSSOS), found a spare moment to deliver the backup camera, exclaiming, “… what is this, a sack of bricks!”  With twilight fast fading, the vanishing moon was a challenge to image – I ended up taking over 50 shots, hoping just one of them would come close to capturing the moment!  – Joy

A very young moon captured by Gemini Photographer Joy Pollard. 8/26/14 19:19:55 HST.

Image without inset. Exposure 1/40 sec, f2.8, ISO 800, 70mm, taken with a Canon EOS Mark II.

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Closeup image of the “sliver moon” just before disappearing below the clouds.

 

Gemini Morning Twilight

Please enjoy and share this image of Gemini North obtained during the current COLOSSOS Large and Long program run. This image, taken by Gemini’s Joy Pollard shows the early twilight sky, with the crescent moon at right.

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Pre-dawn twilight view of the Gemini North, and Canada France Hawai‘i Telescopes during the COLOSSOS run. Click on the image to see larger version.

Quiz: Can you identify the natural glow arching upward between Gemini North and the Moon in this image? Be sure to leave your answers at our Facebook page linked below!

https://www.facebook.com/GeminiObservatory