The Future and Science of
Gemini Observatory
A Scientific Meeting of Gemini’s Users and Stakeholders in mid-2015
Every three years, Gemini Observatory organizes a meeting of our users and stakeholders in
order to sample highlights from the observatory’s recent scientific output, and look ahead
to the future of our facility and partnership. In 2015, the meeting, called “The Future and
Science of Gemini,” will convene on the waterfront in Toronto, Canada, from June 14th-18th.
The four-day meeting is shaping up to present a diverse agenda for the anticipated 100+ attendees. A critical objective of the meeting is to facilitate detailed discussions that will consolidate plans to result in the desired observatory of the 2020s. Areas of discussion will include operational and observing modes and instrument development, as well as instrument
procurement models, which will offer more flexible approaches to provide the capabilities
users require. Gemini Partners will each have an opportunity to present their community
perspectives and interests.
Other agenda topics include exoplanet imaging and spectroscopy, time-domain astronomy,
cosmic explosions, the nearby universe, and distant galaxies. We will hear perspectives from
other observatories, especially from those that may be complementary to Gemini (e.g., the
Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope),
and updates on current and future instrumentation, including work in progress on new
Gemini Instrumentation Feasibility Studies (see article starting on page 15). There will also
be a workshop session organized by members of the Users’ Committee for Gemini focused
on employing current instrumentation productively. Contributed talks and posters in all areas are encouraged.
For more details, including a list of the Local and Scientific organizing committee members,
and to sign up for email updates, see the meeting’s website.
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GeminiFocus
October 2014