Gemini

The Gemini Partnership

Australia is currently a member of the International Gemini Partnership through an agreement between the US National Science Foundation and the Australian Research Council (ARC). This membership allows Australian astronomers access to 6.19% of the available telescope time on the two 8m Gemini telescopes located in Chile and Hawaii.

Australian Gemini Office (AusGO)

AusGO supports Australian astronomers in their use of the 8m-class telescopes which are provided as part of the national facility. AusGO is based at the Anglo-Australian Observatory and maintains the following webpage.

Australian Gemini Undergraduate Summer Studentships (AGUSS)

AAL sponsors the AGUSS scheme, which provides an annual opportunity for two or three undergraduate students enrolled at Australian universities to carry out a 10 week research project at the Gemini South observatory in La Serena, Chile. Students work closely with Gemini Observatory staff, participate in a lecture course offered at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, and present their final results via video link to sites in Australia. Application details can be found at the AGUSS web site.

Gemini Instrumentation

As part of its membership, Australia is required to contribute 6.19% towards Gemini instrumentation. Currently the Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) is being built, and it is expected to be completed in 2011.