in Arizona. The science (which includes data
from the visiting high-resolution, near-infrared
spectrograph, IGRINS) ranged from high-red-
shift Lyman-alpha blobs to shock physics in the
Orion Nebula.
I also toured the KASI instrumentation labo-
ratory where work on IGRINS2 — the Gemini
facility instrument successor to IGRINS — is al-
ready underway. Finally, we began planning for
the next Gemini Science Meeting, to be held in
Korea in the summer of 2020, in celebration of
Gemini Observatory's 20th anniversary.
Meanwhile, work on our new Gemini in the
Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy (GEMMA)
program is ramping up. This exciting six-year
project has three main aims: 1) to build a new
multi-conjugate adaptive optics (AO) facil-
ity at Gemini North (GNAO), while updating
our AO real-time computing system for both
telescopes; 2) to develop the software infra-
structure needed for multi-messenger and
time-domain astronomy in the era of Laser In-
terferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory
(LIGO) and Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
(LSST) research; and 3) to convene workshops
on communication and outreach focused on
how to promote the message of multi-mes-
senger astronomy.
We convened technical advisory and science
advisory AO working groups to refine our
technical and science requirements for GNAO,
drawing on a broad base of expertise from the
AO and Gemini partner communities. Many
thanks to the AO working group chair, Julian
Christou (Large Binocular Telescope Observa-
tory), and the GNAO science team chair, Suresh
Sivanandam (University of Toronto). One of the
primary goals of the new GNAO system is to
provide rapid-response high spatial resolution
data for time-domain science programs; these
science-use cases are described in a 2020
Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophys-
ics (Astro2020) white paper, “Probing the Time
Domain with High Spatial Resolution,” led by
Gemini's Chief Scientist John Blakeslee.
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GeminiFocus
We also convened our time-domain as-
tronomy policy group, chaired by Abi Saha
(National Optical Astronomy Observatory),
which is tasked with advising Gemini on time
allocation policies for Target of Opportunity
and other time-domain astronomy programs
in the era of LIGO and LSST. This includes re-
viewing and advising the Observatory on pro-
cesses to maximize the science return from
transient object follow-up, while protecting
the completion rates of programs targeting
non-transient sources. It also includes broader
policy considerations such as the exchange
or pooling of observing time while participat-
ing in a transient follow-up network such as
the Astronomical Event Observatory Network
(AEON). The final recommendations of this
group will be reported to the Gemini Board by
November 2019.
For 15 years, Gemini Observatory has led the
Journey Through the Universe outreach program
in Hawai’i. Each March, this program brings
together astronomers, K-12 students, obser-
vatory staff, teachers, and community leaders
on the Big Island for a week of activities that
help foster STEM education and learning. This
year’s events included classroom visits by over
70 astronomy professionals, portable planetar-
ium visits to pre-kindergarteners through first
graders, and career panels at Waiākea and Hilo
High Schools. (See local news coverage here.)
Journey Through the Universe and AstroDay Chile
are both highlighted starting on page 21. Both
of these programs are important bridges be-
tween today's astronomers and the present
and future Hawai’i and Chile communities.
I look forward to the exciting times ahead for
the Observatory and the astronomical com-
munity, as we steer Gemini into the future
where new and exciting discoveries await.
Jennifer Lotz is the Gemini Observatory Director.
She can be reached at: [email protected]
April 2019