Gemini Observatory

The Gemini Observatory operates on the northern and the southern hemisphere two large reflecting telescopes with 8.1 m primary mirror diameter for observations in the visible and infrared light.

The Gemini Observatory is an international joint project with investments from the United States ( National Science Foundation (NSF ) through NOAO 51.4 %), Great Britain (Science and Technology Facilities Council ( STFC ) 22.9% ), Canada ( National Research Council NRC 12.9% ), Chile ( Comisión Nacional de Investigación Cientifica y Tecnológica CONICYT 3.6% ), Australia ( Australian Research Council ARC 4.6% ), Argentina ( Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas CONICET 2.3%) and Brazil ( Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico CNPq Científico e 2.3%).

In order to observe both the northern and the southern sky, two telescopes of the 8- m class were built. The northern telescope is located is part of the Mauna Kea Observatory on the island of Hawaii (coordinates: 19 ° 49 'N, 155 ° 28' W19.823782 - 155.468954 ), southern on the Cerro Pachón in Chile (coordinates: 30 ° 14 ' S, 70 ° 44 ' W - 30.240674 - 70.736572 ). The telescopes were 2000 ( Gemini North ) and 2002 ( Gemini South) in the scientific operation. The headquarters is located in Hilo on the grounds of the University of Hawaii. The telescopes are astronomers from the seven countries in proportion to the respective financial investments available.