On Tuesday, December 9th, the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) and Gemini North hosted a Live from Gemini video event live from the Hilo Base Facility (HBF) control room.

Peter Michaud (left) and Andre-Nicholas Chene facilitating Live from Gemini in the Hilo Base Facility control room.

Gemini’s Public Information and Outreach Manager Peter Michaud and Assistant Scientist Andre-Nicholas Chene along with International Telescopes Support Office (ITSO) Information and Support Officer Elaina Hyde (in Australia), facilitated the session yesterday, where they explained how astronomers take observations at Gemini Observatory, discussed the results of AAO’s Cosmic Poll, and answered questions submitted to AAO’s social medial channels.

The session is available below and on the AAO Youtube page.

Staff from CTIO, SOAR and Gemini participated in a shared training session on vacuum technology during November.

The coating of a state-of-the art primary mirror is a complex process that requires specialists from several areas, with sufficient training and knowledge. This was demonstrated in October 2015 when the Gemini primary mirror (M1) was successfully recoated by a combined team of specialists from Gemini, the Cerro Tololo Inter-american Observatory (CTIO) and the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) Telescope

In order to keep observatory staff up-to-date on vacuum coating technologies, last week a classroom training session on vacuum technology brought together staff from all of the telescopes of the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) in Chile

Specialists from Intercovamex, a Mexican company that specializes in vacuum technology and training, provided insights into all important aspects of vacuum technology and tailored the training to observatory needs.

The training included theoretical sessions at the Gemini South Base Facility, and the final part of the training took place at the telescope to look at specific observatory equipment.

Most of the instruments that Gemini and other AURA telescopes use utilize vacuum chambers to cool down detectors, increase their sensitivity, and reduce background noise. With vacuum technology so pervasive, from instruments to optical coatings, the importance of this training is critical.

The Gemini South Head of Engineering Operations, Michiel Van Der Hoeven comments, “hopefully this shared training initiative will further enhance our knowledge on these systems, enable further collaboration and open up new opportunities for all”.

Gemini astronomer Pascale Hibon chats with students from the San Joaquín School after sharing her insights on a career in research. (Credit: Gemini Observatory/AURA) / La astrónoma de Gemini Pascale Hibon conversa con alumnas del Colegio San Joaquín luego de compartir su historia personal y sus impresiones sobre carreras de investigación. (Crédito: Observatorio Gemini/AURA).

Last week, Gemini’s annual outreach program Viaje al Universo featured an engaging career panel for local students in the La Serena area. Professionals from observatories in Chile encouraged and inspired students to dream big and strive to join the next generation of scientists who will explore the cosmos with Chile’s state-of-the-art observatories.

San Joaquín school hosted the nearly 100 students and teachers from participating schools in Gemini’s Viaje al Universo week. Targeting 11^th and 12^th graders, the event allowed panel members to share their career paths and answer questions that ranged from the education needed to be a data reducer, to where you can study to become an astronomer in Chile.

Verónica Firpo, astronomer, Gemini/ULS; Roberto Bermúdez, teacher of english, Carnegie; Pascale Hibon, astronomer, Gemini; Francisco Figueroa, architect, Giant Magallanic Telescope; Maria Antonieta García, journalist, Gemini and Guilermo Cabrera, AstroInformatics, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory participated at the Viaje al Universo’s career panel last week. (Credit: Gemini Observatory/AURA)/ Verónica Firpo, astrónoma, Gemini/ULS; Roberto Bermúdez, profesor de inglés, Carnegie; Pascale Hibon, astrónoma, Gemini; Francisco Figueroa, arquitecto, Giant Magallanic Telescope; Ma. Antonieta García, periodista, Gemini y Guilermo Cabrera, AstroInformatics, Observatorio Interamericano Cerro Tololo  participaron del panel de carreras de Viaje al Universo. (Crédito: Observatorio Gemini/AURA)

Staff from Gemini, the University of La Serena, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), the Carnegie Foundation, and the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) participated by sharing their stories and personal insights on their careers in astronomy. The presentations also included tips for students looking to build a career in astronomical research, or in other professions related to science and technology in Chile.

“Seeing and talking to these curious students brings back the original reasons for my career choice,” says Pascale Hibon a Gemini staff scientist. “They are giving us back a lot of the lost magic. And it is always great to take time to exchange with students,” she says.

Francisco Figueroa from GMT adds, “It is not easy to pick your career when you are 17 years old. I feel that sharing our own stories can definitely give some ‘behind the scenes’ information so that these young students have information about possibilities that they might not have considered previously.”

Pablo Arriagada, an 11^th grader at the San Joaquín school says he plans to study a science related career. “I enjoyed the chance to connect with professionals pursuing careers in these diverse and exciting fields,” he said. Most of the students attending the career panel will graduate from high school and and are deciding career paths now. “It is very timely for students to ask about what observatory career fields are like, what staff love about their jobs, and to share advice,” added Silvia Novoa, counselor from the same school.

The career panel is one of many Gemini outreach activities that take place throughout the year in schools at both of Gemini Observatory’s host communities in the area of Coquimbo in Chile and in Hilo, Hawai‘i.

Trabajadores de Observatorios Comparten su  Pasión por la Astronomía con Estudiantes

La semana pasada, el programa anual de divulgación de Gemini Viaje al Universo llevó a cabo un interesante panel de carreras para los estudiantes locales de la comuna de La Serena. Profesionales de observatorios en Chile entusiasmaron e inspiraron a estudiantes para aspirar a grandes sueños y esforzarse  para ser parte de la próxima generación de científiocs que explorará el cosmos con los  más modernos observatorios de Chile.

El colegio San Joaquín recibió a un centenar de alumnos y profesores de los colegios que participaron en la semana de Viaje al Universo que organiza el Observatorio Gemini. Enfocado para 3ros y 4tos medios, el evento permitió a los integrantes del panel compartir sus respectivos caminos profesionales y responder preguntas que variaron desde cuál es la educación que se necesita para ser un Reducidor de Datos hasta en qué universidades de Chile se puede estudiar astronomía.

Empleados de Gemini, Universidad de La Serena, Observatorio Interamericano de Cerro Tololo (CTIO), la Fundación Carnegie y el Telescopio Gigante de Magallanes (GMT) compartieron sus propias historias en las carreras dentro del campo de la astronomía. La presentación también incluyó consejos para los alumnos que buscan empezar una carrera en la investigación astronómica o en otras profesionaes relacionadas con la ciencia y la tecnología en Chile.

“Ver y hablar con estos alumnos tan curiosos me lleva de regreso a las razones por las cuales originalmente escogí mi carrera,” dice Pascale Hibon científica de Gemini. “Ellos nos están devolviendo un montón de nuestra magia perdida. Y siempre es maravilloso tomarse un tiempo para compartir con alumnos,” comenta.

Francisco Figueroa de GMT agrega, “No es fácil escoger tu carrera cuando tienes 17 años. Siento que compartir nuestras historias personales  les brinda información detallada para que estos jóvenes puedan conocer nuevas posibilidades que quizás no hayan considerado previamente.”

Pablo Arriagada, alumno de 3ro medio del Colegio San Joaquín señala que piensa estudiar algo relacionado con el área científica. “Disfruto la oportunidad de conocer profesionales que desarrollan carreras en estos campos tan diversos, pero igualmente emocionantes”, dice. La mayoría de los alumnos que participaron en este panel egresa de enseñanza media en diciembre y están decidiendo sus opciones ahora. “Es muy apropiado en esta época del año que los alumnos puedan preguntar sobre cómo son las carreras dentro de un observatorio, lo que los profesionales más disfrutan de su trabajo y que escuchen los consejos que se les compartirá,” agrega Silvia Novoa, orientadora del mismo colegio.

El panel de carreras es una de las muchas actividades de difusión de Gemini que se llevan a cabo a lo largo del año en colegios de ambos sitios que albergan los telescopios del Observatorio Gemini  tanto en la región de Coquimbo en Chile como en Hilo, en Hawai‘i.