Gemini staff contributions
News for Users
A successful maintenance shutdown occurs at Gemini North,
while an unexpected shutdown of the Maunakea Access Road
affected science at all the mountain’s observatories. The annual
shutdown at Gemini South goes as planned. And the Gemini
Board approves the Observatory’s Strategic Scientific Plan for
the 2020s.
Maunakea Access and Gemini North Shutdown
On July 15th, protesters blocked the Maunakea Access Road in an effort to prevent Thirty
Meter Telescope construction equipment from moving to the Maunakea Astronomy Pre-
cinct. This action quickly precipitated a protracted stoppage of all observing atop Mau-
nakea, as observatories assessed the safety and reliability of access to the summit. By Au-
gust 12th, we had received assurances of support from Law Enforcement and statements
from the protestors of their intent to allow access for staff of the existing observatories.
Combined with some improvements made to the “spur road” (a short segment of the old
Saddle Road and a portion of a lava field) via which we now have to access the mountain,
we returned to work on the planned maintenance shutdown (excluding coating of the
primary mirror which has been deferred until next year). The maintenance was completed
on August 30th, allowing a resumption of night-time observing and enabling the TEXES
instrument to visit as scheduled. Access to the mountain remains intermittently compro-
mised by conditions on the spur road in particular, but for now we are proceeding with
operations.
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GeminiFocus
October 2019