#Gemini: Gemini North #Telescope to Restart Operations
ISSUED BY THE INTERNATIONAL GEMINI OBSERVATORY IN HILO, HAWAII, A PROGRAM OF NSF’S NATIONAL OPTICAL-INFRARED ASTRONOMY RESEARCH LABORATORY (NOIRLAB)
GEMINI NORTH TELESCOPE TO RESTART OBSERVATIONS
After an internal Operations Restart Readiness Review on Friday, 15 May, the international Gemini Observatory, a program of NSF’s NOIRLab, has the green light for their plan to restart nighttime observations at the Gemini North telescope on Hawaii’s Maunakea. Operations will begin on the night of Tuesday, 19 May 2020, with a minimal on-site crew.
The restart is possible because the governor of Hawaii has given permission for observatories to open, and because Hawaii has a very low number of active COVID-19 cases. At Friday’s review, a committee determined that appropriate safety protocols are in place and operating, all local and national regulations are met, sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand with a reasonable expectation of a functioning supply chain, and other operational protocols are in place.
Most staff at NOIRLab’s three sites -- Tucson, Arizona; Hilo, Hawaii; and La Serena in Chile -- will continue to telework at least throughout the month of June, and possibly longer.
Planning is under way for a limited restart of science operations and basic and time-critical maintenance at each of our sites. Limited restarts in Chile and Arizona will not occur before 4 June 2020.
The NOIRLab base facilities remain closed to visitors until further notice. Events and all tours and classroom visits remain suspended.
GEMINI NORTH TELESCOPE TO RESTART OBSERVATIONS
After an internal Operations Restart Readiness Review on Friday, 15 May, the international Gemini Observatory, a program of NSF’s NOIRLab, has the green light for their plan to restart nighttime observations at the Gemini North telescope on Hawaii’s Maunakea. Operations will begin on the night of Tuesday, 19 May 2020, with a minimal on-site crew.
The restart is possible because the governor of Hawaii has given permission for observatories to open, and because Hawaii has a very low number of active COVID-19 cases. At Friday’s review, a committee determined that appropriate safety protocols are in place and operating, all local and national regulations are met, sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment are on hand with a reasonable expectation of a functioning supply chain, and other operational protocols are in place.
Most staff at NOIRLab’s three sites -- Tucson, Arizona; Hilo, Hawaii; and La Serena in Chile -- will continue to telework at least throughout the month of June, and possibly longer.
Planning is under way for a limited restart of science operations and basic and time-critical maintenance at each of our sites. Limited restarts in Chile and Arizona will not occur before 4 June 2020.
The NOIRLab base facilities remain closed to visitors until further notice. Events and all tours and classroom visits remain suspended.
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