Gemini-Korea Collaboration Studies Late Stages of Stellar Lives

Date: 3 Jun 2015
Author: Manuel Paredes
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Categories: Español, Operations News, Science Results

Gemini South Image of the planetary nebula NGC 246 located about 1,600 light-years away in the constellation of Cetus. /// Imagen de la nebulosa planetaria NGC 246 ubicada a unos 1.600 años luz de distancia en la constelación de Cetus.

Artist’s impression of a symbiotic star. /// Representación artística de una estrella simbiótica.

The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) is supporting a three-year research program led by Hee-Won Lee (Sejong University) and Rodolfo Angeloni (Gemini Observatory) to study the late stages of stellar evolution. In addition to advancing the fundamental understanding of these systems, the program will help train the next generation of astronomers and enhance collaborations among Korea, Gemini, and Chile.

The research program includes the study of white dwarfs (low-mass stars in their final stages of life) within young planetary nebulae and symbiotic stars, the latter being interacting binary systems where a white dwarf is accreting matter from a cool giant star.

In the framework of this collaboration, Korean and Chilean students will visit Gemini-South to work on-site at Gemini. Two international conferences – one in Chile and one in Korea – is also planned over the next few years in order to share and promote future investigations.

Colaboración Gemini- Corea Estudia las Etapas Finales de la Evolución Estelar

El Instituto de Astronomía y Ciencias del Espacio de Corea (KASI) actualmente apoya un programa de investigación de tres años dirigido por Hee-Won Lee (Universidad de Sejong) y Rodolfo Angeloni (Observatorio Gemini) para estudiar las últimas etapas de la evolución estelar. Además de avanzar en la comprensión fundamental de estos sistemas, el programa ayudará a entrenar a la próxima generación de astrónomos y mejorar la colaboración entre Corea, Gemini, y Chile.

El programa de investigación incluye el estudio de enanas blancas (estrellas de baja masa en etapas finales de su vida) al interior de nebulosas planetarias jóvenes y estrellas simbióticas. Éstas últimas consisten en sistemas binarios que interactúan donde una enana blanca está en proceso de acreción desde una estrella gigante fría.

En el marco de esta colaboración, estudiantes coreanos y chilenos visitarán Gemini Sur para trabajar in-situ en el proyecto. Además, se organizarán dos conferencias internacionales -una en Chile y otra en Corea- durante los dos años siguientes para compartir y promover los resultados de las investigaciones.

Argentina Celebrates 15 Years in Gemini!

Date: 2 Jun 2015
Author: Manuel Paredes
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Categories: Español

The Argentinian astronomical community is conducting a special meeting to celebrate 15 years of science with Gemini!

From now until the 5th, researchers, technical professionals, undergraduates, and post-graduate students are invited to attend this meeting at the Planetarium of the city of La Plata in Argentina. Registration is free.

The meeting’s primary purpose is to present results of Argentinian science results obtained with Gemini data. In addition, the conference aims to stimulate collaboration and links between researches using Gemini data in Argentina.

Participants at the meeting are also learning about new instrumentation, as well as Gemini’s diverse observing modes. Three Gemini staff astronomers are offering lectures on science highlights and instrument capabilities, including: GeMS/GSAOI, the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI), and the Infrared Spectrograph Flamingos-2.

Additional information can be found at: 15acgeminiargentina@gmail.com

¡Argentina Celebra 15 años en Gemini!

La comunidad astronómica de Argentina está celebrando 15 Años de Ciencia con Gemini!

Desde hoy y hasta el 5 de Junio, investigadores, personal técnico, además de estudiantes de grado y post-grado, están invitados a participar en este evento a realizarse en el Planetario de la Ciudad de La Plata, en Argentina, cuya inscripción es gratuita.

El objetivo principal de la reunión consiste en presentar los resultados de la participación científica de Argentina obtenida con los datos obtenidos en Gemini . Además, el encuentro busca incentivar la colaboración y conformacieon de redes entre los investigadores de Argentina que hacen uso de los datos obtenidos en Gemini.

Los científicos participantes están siendo familiarizados con las potencialidades de los nuevos instrumentos de Gemini y los nuevos modos de observación. De hecho, tres astrónomos del staff de Gemini ofrecerán charlas sobre las capacidades y los resultados científicos de GeMS/GSAOI, el Captador de Imágenes de Planetas de Gemini (GPI) y el Espectrógrafo Infrarrojo Flamingos-2

Para mayor información puede escribir a: 15acgeminiargentina@gmail.com

Students Transform Gemini Data Into Beautiful Images

Date: 20 May 2015
Author: Joy Pollard
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Categories: For Everyone, Outreach

Kapolei High School student Nicholas Arsenault created this stunning image of an interacting galaxy from Gemini data.

Live From Gemini – Oahu

Live from Gemini is a video field trip where students visit the Gemini control rooms and learn about humanity’s exploration of the universe. In this “special edition” of the program, co-sponsored by the Hawai‘i State Department of Education, students from Honolulu’s Kapolei High School used real Gemini data to create beautiful astronomical images (see above). The virtual visit to the Gemini North Base Facility control room also included a visit with Dr. Travis Rector at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Dr. Rector specializes in making stunning images from Gemini data and mentored the students while creating their images.

Teachers, if you would like to take your class on a virtual field trip to Gemini please visit: http://bit.ly/1u9huM9

Gemini Outreach Manager Peter Michaud chats from the Gemini North Control Room with Oahu students and Travis Rector in Alaska.

Video chat with Dr. Travis Rector, University of Alaska Anchorage (excerpt)

Video chat with Adam Smith, Gemini Observatory (excerpt)

In-Situ Wash: Mirror Cleaning at Gemini South

Date: 15 May 2015
Author: Manuel Paredes
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Categories: For Astronomers, Operations News

A fish eye view of the primary mirror during the last In-Situ wash

In-Situ Wash

Periodically, the primary mirrors of both Gemini telescopes need to be cleaned. The day crew at the Gemini South telescope perform this task regularly (Gemini North’s primary mirror does not receive as much dust, and does not require cleaning as frequently).

In Chile, the in-situ washing happens twice a year and involves as many as 17 members of the engineering and optics groups working up to a 10 hour day. The next scheduled wash will not happen until after the primary mirror has been stripped and re-coated, later this October (the previous re-coating occurred in October of 2010).

This panoramic photo shows the primary mirror after to receiving a new silver coating in 2010. This procedure is scheduled to occur again in October of this year.

During the most recent in-situ wash, on april 22nd, staff from the Magellan Telescope and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope were invited to observe Gemini’s procedures, thus providing cross-observatory sharing of knowledge, which is critical for every observatory’s operations.

The in-situ wash is just one of the procedures that assure that Gemini meets tight specifications on infrared emissivity and overall light reflectivity. The mirror is also cleaned with carbon dioxide on a weekly basis. Both of these procedures aim to extend the durability of the primary mirror’s silver coating, and is an important factor in reducing the need for re-coating to about every 5 years.

Learn more in this video of the in-situ washing process: