Gemini South to Restart Operations

Gemini South and the other NOIRLab facilities in Chile have been closed since mid-March 2020 because of the continued pandemic and local restrictions. Based on a successful review of Gemini’s safety-focused operations plans and Chile’s improved conditions, initiation of Phase 1 limited operations is approved to start on 28 September. For Gemini South this means several weeks of maintenance and restarting systems, with an anticipated limited resumption of nighttime observing in the second half of October. Additional details on operations under COVID-19 are available in the Science Community FAQ linked to on the Gemini home page.