The 12 Days of Solstice – Day 3: Laser in the Sky

Welcome to Gemini’s 12 Days of Solstice! This is a joyous countdown to the longest, or shortest (depending on which hemisphere you live in) day of the year! Visit our blog each day from December 11 – December 22 for Gemini-themed crafts, cartoons, playlists, videos and much, much more.

At the end of October Gemini South began work commissioning their new TOPTICA laser. A second TOPTICA later will soon be installed on Gemini North with commissioning expected in 2018. Gemini North Science Operations Specialist Christy Cunningham was on hand in Chile for some of the first on-sky operations of the Gemini South  TOPTICA laser. Today we present Christy’s video of Gemini South during this several night run, filmed with a GoPro.

 

 

 

The 12 Days of Solstice – Day 2: Gemini North Science Talks

Welcome to Gemini’s 12 Days of Solstice! This is a joyous countdown to the longest, or shortest (depending on which hemisphere you live in) day of the year! Visit our blog each day from December 11 – December 22 for Gemini-themed crafts, cartoons, playlists, videos and much, much more.

We frequently have visitors coming by to our base facilities often times as guest observers and visiting collaborators. When astronomers, engineers, and planetary scientists do visit the Gemini North or Gemini South offices, we often invite them to give talks about their current research. Since July, we have been recording Gemini North science talks have been recorded when the speaker gives us permission to do so. We’ve been posting the talks online on the Gemini Observatory youtube channel. We present to you today the Gemini North science talks playlist:

You can find the full list of Gemini North science talks here.

The 12 Days of Solstice – Day 1: Gemini Observatory: Pioneering Astronomy

Welcome to Gemini’s 12 Days of Solstice! This is a joyous countdown to the longest, or shortest (depending on which hemisphere you live in) day of the year! Visit our blog each day from December 11 – December 22 for Gemini-themed crafts, cartoons, playlists, videos and much, much more.

Gemini’s 12 Days of Solstice is back for another year. Today we share the ‘Gemini Observatory: pioneering astronomy’ videos both in English and Spanish. These stunning videos made by Gemini’s Manuel Paredes, Communication Coordinator at Gemini South, in Chile give a unique view into Gemini’s mission and capabilities. We hope you enjoy!

Get to Know Gemini! Manuel Paredes

Get to Know Gemini is a new series of blog posts aimed to highlight the different careers, backgrounds, and types of people contributing to Gemini Observatory and its science.

Name: Manuel Parede

What is your current position and at which telescope?

My current position it is Communication Coordinator at Gemini South, in Chile.

In four lines or less, explain what you do as part of the Gemini Observatory team?

I do coordinate the outreach programs of the observatory in Chile, as same as, the communications with different Gemini’s stakeholders.

How long have you worked for Gemini?

For 9 years

What drew you to this job?

Collaboration. This is one of those jobs where you realize that collaboration is the only way to reach difficult objectives. And I want to collaborate with that.

What is the best part of your job?

Be in touch with those publics that never thought they were be able to knew about science, astronomy or technologies.

Where are you originally from/where did you grow up?

From Santiago, Chile.

What skill do you think is most important to know for your job?

Communication skills.

Why is astronomy important?

Because it is one of the few places where you can see a diversity of people -regardless of race, gender or social status – working efficiently together for higher goals.

What is your favorite movie?

Trois Couleurs, by Krzysztof Kieslowski

What is the latest book you have read?

“El Aleph”, by Jorge Luis Borges.

What three albums would you bring with you to a desert island?

“Alturas de Macchu Picchu”, by Los Jaivas.
“La voz de los ’80”, by Los Prisioneros.
“Delicate Sound of Thunder”, by Pink Floyd.

What is one hobby of yours?

Read, Bike.

Favorite beverage?

Chardonnay

Check back next month to learn more about the staff that help Gemini to explore the Universe and share its wonders!

Gemini Hosts Hawaii’s Second Astronomy on Tap

Gemini Hosts Hawaii’s Second Astronomy on Tap

Gemini Observatory will be holding Hawaii’s second Astronomy on Tap event at Hilo Town Tavern on Wednesday, December 6th. The first event was held in February of this year, drawing in an estimated 200 people from the community. Based upon this immense success, there are plans to make Astronomy on Tap a recurring event in Hilo.

The event, organized by Gemini Observatory, is based on similar events around the world that bring the astronomy to pubs and bars. Started 2012 in New York City by current Gemini astronomer, Meg Schwamb, there are now more than 15 cities have began hosting Astronomy on Tap events, including sites in the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands.

The event is free of charge for adults 21 and older. Join us and bring your friends for drinks, bar games, and fascinating astronomy talks on Wednesday, December 6th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Hilo Town Tavern, 168 Keawe St, Hilo, HI 96720.

This month’s event features the following short talks by astronomers from both Gemini Observatory and the East Asian Observatory with special guest host Mimi Fuchs (from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Submillimeter Array) more famously known as Aunty Mimi star of Aunty Mimi’s Astro-Bash.

How Adaptive Optics Forever Changed Astronomy – Trent Dupuy (Gemini Observatory)

I Call DIBs on the Space Soccer Ball! – Mark Rawlings (East Asian Observatory)

The Solar System is a Nice Place to Visit… – Meg Schwamb (Gemini Observatory)

So You Think You Can Galaxy: Tales of the Littlest Star Systems That Could – Matt Taylor (Gemini Observatory)

Meet us there as we combine the powers of space and spirits!