Gemini Observatory - Definition and Overview

The Gemini Observatory consists of a pair of 8-meter astronomical telescopes. One telescope is located on Hawaii's Mauna Kea (Gemini North) and the other on Cerro Pachón in central Chile (Gemini South). Together they provide complete unobstructed coverage of both the northern and southern skies. The Gemini telescopes are currently the among the largest and advanced optical/infrared telescopes available to astronomers.

The Gemini telescopes were built and are operated by a consortium consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia. This partnership is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), and the headquarters of the observatory are located in Hilo, Hawaii.

External links

• Gemini Observatory (http://www.gemini.edu) (official site)
• AURA (http://www.aura-astronomy.org/) (official site)