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“Bring One Get One” on deep space survey

Bring One, Get One

Dr. Sarah Sweet (installing a plate for the SAMI Galaxy Survey at the Anglo-Australian Telescope), used the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics system (GeMS) to obtain data on one of the most massive clusters ever found.

Bring One, Get One Continues!

Gemini is helping Australian scientists study the secrets of the early universe through our “Bring One, Get One” support program. Dr. Sarah Sweet, an early Career Researcher from Australian National University, is one of many “BOGOs” who’ve taken advantage of this program by observing as part of  team at the Gemini South telescope.

Her project is part of the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Instrument (GSAOI) Guaranteed Time Program 2014-B, led by principal investigator Dr. Robert Sharp, from the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics of the Australian National University.

Using GeMS/GSAOI Sarah Sweet acquired deep Adaptive Optics (AO) imaging on the SPT-CL J0546-5345 galaxy cluster, one of the most-massive galaxy clusters ever found in the early universe. The galaxy cluster is some 7 billion light years distant from earth, and discovered at the South Pole Telescope in 2008.

To know more about Dr. Sweet work, visit sarahsweet.com.au

Here are some previous Bring One, Get One visitors at Gemini North and South.

Allison Noble

Dylan Angell

Rosemary Pike

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Post by Gemini Observatory.

 

Johanna Teske

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Post by Gemini Observatory.
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First observations with KASI begin this week!

KASI

KASI Observations begin

As described in the October 2014 issue of GeminiFocus,  the Korean Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) is engaging in a limited-term partnership with Gemini in 2015. Tonight, March 16, 2015, will be the first KASI night at Gemini – this is the start of an eight night run at Gemini North. A Gemini South KASI run starts on April 14th. At both Gemini North and South the primary instrument for the KASI programs is the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph, however FLAMINGOS-2, Gemini Near InfraRed Spectrograph and Near InfraRed Imager are also expected to be used. During the current Gemini North run, three KASI scientists – Dr. Narae Hwang, Dr. Minjin Kim and Dr. Ho-Gyu Lee – will oversee the KASI queue program execution. There will be seven researchers visiting the summit during the run, from KASI, Seoul National University, Chungnam National University and Peking University. Now that the long 2015 winter storm has passed, we hope for a very productive eight nights for the KASI team!

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Electronics internship at the Gemini South telescope

Eduardo Arriagada-2

Eduardo Arriagada Fredes (center in photo), a student specializing in electronics, and a recent graduate from Escuela Industrial Salesianos San Ramón, is performing his internship at the Gemini South telescope on Cerro Pachón.

Eduardo is looking forward to participating in activities that include: spare parts testing, and lab equipment checks & tests, under his mentors Senior Electronic Technician Pedro Ojeda, and Electronics Engineer Héctor Swett.

Welcome aboard Eduardo, we hope that your 4 months at Gemini will take you to new heights!

The image shows Eduardo starting to work with Gemini South Technical Electrician Herman Díaz and Senior Electronic Technician, Pedro Ojeda.
Egresado de la Escuela Industrial Salesianos San Ramón de La Serena, con especialidad en Electrónica, Eduardo Arriagada Fredes comenzó esta semana su práctica profesional en Cerro Pachón.
Eduardo participará activamente en tareas de testeo de repuestos, registro y chequeo de equipos de laboratorio, entre otras, siempre bajo directa supervisión de sus mentores Pedro Ojeda, Técnico electrónico y Héctor Swett, Ingeniero Electrónico.

Bienvenido abordo Eduardo, es nuestro deseo que durante estos 4 meses desarrolles todo tu potencial!

En la foto Eduardo comienza su trabajo con el técnico electrónico de Gemini Sur Herman Díaz y el técnico electrónico senior, Pedro Ojeda.

 

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A Blizzard on Maunakea!

Blizzard on Maunakea

Déjà vu: Blizzard on Maunakea

Winter extremes are not unusual for the summit area of Maunakea — the highest point in the pacific basin, and host to many of the world’s premier astronomical observatories. However, it seems that lately a case of déjà vu has hit, as the summit has been largely inaccessible for most of the first part of March.  Back in 2008 the summit experienced a similar extended period of winter weather causing the Maunakea observatories to miss out on observations for most of January in that year.

Due to the unusually severe weather, access to the summit has been impossible for anyone (including observatory staff) over the last several days and the road is not expected to reopen anytime soon. Snow continued to accumulate even as snow removal vehicles attempted to clear the way, eventually forcing them to retreat with little visibility and extremely hazardous conditions preventing any further road clearing yesterday.

Gemini’s summit crew member, John Randrup, captured these images (with very high snow drifts!) on one of the few occasions that the access road was open long enough to allow observatory vehicles to pass earlier this week.

Currently the Maunakea Support Services are advising that no one should attempt to travel the summit access road for the foreseeable future: due to heavy accumulation of ice and snow on the summit road and high winds exceeding 60 mph, gusting up to 88 mph today.

Click on the images below for larger versions. Also, have a look at NASA’s Earth Observatory image of a snow blanketed Maunakea.

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Gemini Job Openings – Gemini South!

Gemini Observatory has an immediate opening for Science Operations Specialists (SOS).  The position will be at Gemini South, La Serena, Chile. The SOS position is 100% support position within the scientific staff.  The SOS operates the telescope, instruments and computer systems on behalf of the scientists and engineers during daytime and nighttime operations. The SOS also provides essential operational, technical and archival support for data handling at the Observatory.

 

Essential Functions:

 

  • The typical SOS schedule is on shift and is a combination of day and nighttime work.
  • Operating the telescope and instruments to perform scientific observations
  • Assisting visiting and staff observers; working with engineers and science teams during instrument commissioning;
  • Troubleshooting telescope and instrument systems
  • Data quality assessment
  • Instrument calibrations
  • Software testing
  • Preparing the telescope and instruments for nighttime operations
  • Troubleshooting faults with the engineering team
  • Analyzing data
  • Reporting status at daily coordination meetings

 

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science, Engineering, Systems Engineering, or other technical disciplines
  • Previous experience in operation of ground-based telescopes and instruments, and/or knowledge of astronomical instruments and optical and infrared observing techniques is strongly preferred.
  • A good working knowledge of PyRAF/IRAF, as well as experience with high-level scripting in Unix/Linux command shell and Python/Perl is preferred
  • Ability to speak and write effectively in English, including preparation of comprehensive technical reports
  • Requires valid driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to drive 4WD vehicles.
  • Applicants must be capable of working (on shifts  7×7) in a remote location at an elevation of 2900 meters (8,900 ft.) for Gemini South.
  • International travel is expected.

 

Desirable Experience/Skills/Abilities:

  • Master’s degree or higher in Physics/Astronomy, Engineering
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Gemini's mission is to advance our knowledge of the Universe by providing the international Gemini Community with forefront access to the entire sky.

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