Gemini News Archive
Neptune’s Moon Triton Fosters Rare Icy Union
Press Release | 2019 May 20
Using IGRINS on Gemini South, an extraordinary union between carbon monoxide and nitrogen ices has been observed. The discovery offers insights into how this volatile mixture can transport material across the moon’s surface via geysers, trigger seasonal atmospheric changes, and provide a context for conditions on other distant, icy worlds.
Ultra-sharp Images Make Old Stars Look Absolutely Marvelous!
Press Release | 2019 March 21
Using high-resolution adaptive optics imaging from the Gemini Observatory, astronomers have uncovered one of the oldest star clusters in the Milky Way Galaxy.
Cosmic Telescope Zooms in on the Beginning of Time
Press Release | 2019 January 9
Observations from Gemini Observatory identify a key fingerprint of an extremely distant quasar, allowing astronomers to sample light emitted from the dawn of time.
Tiny Old Star Has Huge Impact
Press Release | 2018 November 1
Astronomers use the Gemini Observatory to investigate a tiny star that is likely the oldest known star in the disk of our galaxy. The diminutive star could have a disproportionate impact on our understanding of the age and history of our Milky Way Galaxy.
Gemini Observatory to Advance Adaptive Optics and Multi-messenger Astronomy with NSF Award
Press Release | 2018 September 20
New funding from the National Science Foundation will enable the international Gemini Observatory to advance its position at the forefront of the new era of “multi-messenger astronomy” by enhancing its scientific capabilities in high-resolution and rapid-response astronomy.
Dr. Jennifer Lotz Appointed Gemini Observatory Director
Press Release | 2018 September 6
The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Lotz as the next Director of the Gemini Observatory. Dr. Lotz begins a five-year appointment as Gemini Director starting October 1, 2018. Previously, Dr. Lotz held the position of associate astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI).
Astronomers Blown Away by Historic Stellar Blast
Press Release | 2018 August 2
Observations from the Gemini South and other telescopes in Chile played a critical role in understanding light echoes from a stellar eruption which occurred almost 200 years ago. Gemini spectroscopy shows that ejected material from the blast is the fastest ever seen from a star that remained intact.
Republic of Korea Becomes a Full Participant in Gemini
Press Release | 2018 July 24
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) signed an agreement that established the Republic of Korea as a full Participant in the Gemini Observatory.
Gemini Observatory Cloud Camera Captures Volcano’s Dramatic Glow
Press Release | 2018 May 22
A camera used at the Gemini North telescope to monitor sky conditions from Hawaii’s Maunakea captured a remarkable time-lapse sequence of the Kīlauea volcanic eruption.
What Do Uranus’s Cloud Tops Have in Common With Rotten Eggs?
Press Release | 2018 April 23
Based on sensitive spectroscopic observations with the Gemini North telescope, astronomers uncovered the noxious gas swirling high in Uranus’s cloud tops.
Dark Matter is a No Show in Ghostly Galaxy
Press Release | 2018 March 28
Astronomers using data from the Gemini and W. M. Keck Observatories in Hawai‘i have encountered a galaxy that appears to have almost no dark matter. “...This is a game changer,” according to Principal Investigator Pieter van Dokkum of Yale University.
Supermassive Black Hole is Ahead of its Time
Press Release | 2017 December 6
Observations reveal the mass of earliest known supermassive black hole which radiates from an era in the universe only 690 million years after the Big Bang. Researchers, using unique spectroscopic data from Gemini Near-Infrared Spectrograph (GNIRS) on Gemini North determined its mass at a whopping 800 million times the mass of our Sun.
First Known Interstellar Visitor is an “Oddball”
Press Release | 2017 November 20
After the object was discovered by Pan-STARRS1 on Haleakala, both Gemini telescopes observed ‘Oumuamua for three nights as it quickly dimmed from view. Researchers found that despite its interstellar origin, the object is similar in composition to some objects in our Solar System but its shape is unlike anything found around our Sun.
Gemini Observatory Confirms Spiral Nature of Extremely Distant Lensed Galaxy
Press Release | 2017 November 3
Gemini North’s NIFS has confirmed the spiral nature of the most distant known spiral galaxy (A1689B11) by far through gravitational lensing.
Astronomers Feast on First Light From Gravitational Wave Event
Press Release | 2017 October 16
Gemini Observatory "pulled all of the stops" to bring a gravitational wave source into focus and capture early optical and infrared light from the merger of two neutron stars.
The Little Star That Survived a Supernova
Press Release | 2017 August 17
GRACES observes a fast-moving object that is likely a white dwarf star expelled from a supernova explosion and sent hurtling through our galactic neighborhood.
Striking Gemini Images Point Juno Spacecraft Toward Discovery
Press Release | 2017 June 30
Detailed Gemini Observatory images peel back Jupiter’s atmospheric layers to support the NASA/JPL Juno spacecraft in its quest to understand the giant planet’s atmosphere.
Gemini Observatory Astronomer Meg Schwamb to be Awarded Sagan Medal
Press Release | 2017 June 2
Gemini Observatory astronomer Meg Schwamb is this year’s recipient of the Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication in Planetary Science. Schwamb is being honored for the creation and development of new tools and venues to facilitate planetary science communication.
Dr. Laura Ferrarese Appointed Interim Director of Gemini Observatory
Press Release | 2017 June 2
On July 1, 2017, Dr. Laura Ferrarese begins a one-year term as Interim Director of the Gemini Observatory.
OCTOCAM Looks Toward a New Era of Discovery
Press Release | 2017 April 5
Gemini Observatory announces the development of a major new facility-class broadband optical and near-infrared imager and spectrograph named OCTOCAM.
