GeminiFocus 2018 Year in Review | Page 43

Gemini staff contributions On the Horizon This review highlights instrumentation development efforts made in 2018 to advance the Observatory’s capabilities to do leading science, especially in the era of multi-messenger and time-domain astronomy. JANUARY 2019 GEMMA: Leading in the Era of Multi-Messenger and Time-Domain Astronomy With the recent announcement of the National Science Foundation (NSF) award, Gemini in the Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy (GEMMA), work is ramping up to produce the exciting deliverables promised over the next five years. GEMMA updates will be a regular feature in this column for the duration of the program. The goals of GEMMA are broad and encompass diverse capabilities for Gemini – from in- strumentation, real time software and data reduction pipelines, to public communications. The primary instrumentation capability envisioned with GEMMA is a new state-of-the-art multi-conjugate adaptive optics system for Gemini North called GNAO. Additional details on the GEMMA program can be found in this issue’s Director’s Message starting on page 1 of this issue. Among the first exciting activities in 2019 is a Communications Summit in Multi-Messenger and Time-Domain Astronomy (MMA/TDA). Planning is now underway to identify and in- vite science communication specialists and scientists working in MMA/TDA to the summit January 2019 / 2018 Year in Review GeminiFocus 41