Gemini Observatory

The Gemini Observatory is a pair of 8.1 meter optical/infrared telescopes, Gemini North (Frederick C. Gillett Gemini Telescope) at 4200 meters on Mauna Kea, Hawaii and Gemini South at 2700 meters on Cerro Pachón, Chile. They began operating in 2000 and are managed by Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). Among their instruments:

• GMOS - optical multi-object spectroscope (one on each telescope: GMOS-N and GMOS-S).

On Gemini North:

• ALTAIR - altitude conjugate adaptive optics for the infrared.
• NIRI - near-infrared imager and spectrometer.
• TEXES - Texas echelon cross echelle spectrograph.
• GNIRS - Gemini near infrared spectrograph.
• IGRINS-2 - immersion grating infrared spectrograph 2.
• 'Alopeke - (camera).
• MAROON-X - high-resolution spectrograph.

On Gemini South:

• GeMS - Gemini multi-conjugate adaptive optics system.
• GSAOI - Gemini South adaptive optics imager (16-megapixel camera).
• FLAMINGOS-2 (near-infrared imaging spectrograph).
• Zorro - imager.
• GHOST - Gemini high-resolution optical spectrograph.

GMOS has been used to carry out spectrographic observation of extra-solar planets to study their atmosphere. NIFS is a 3° by 3° imaging spectrometer covering the redshift through K band and other near-infrared passbands. Some previously-listed instruments:

• T-ReCS - mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopy.
• NICI - Near-infrared coronagraph Imager.
• Michelle - mid infrared imaging and spectroscopy.
• Phoenix - High-resolution infrared spectrograph.
• POLISH2 - optical polarimeter.
• GPI - Gemini planet imager.
• NIFS - Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph.
• IGRINS - high-resolution spectrograph.
• GRACES - Gemini North remote access to Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope ESPaDOnS spectrograph (through fiber feeds between the telescopes).