Coronavirus Update

In response to the continued COVID-19 outbreak in the US and Chile, we are announcing the following changes at our facilities, effective immediately and until further notice:

• The Gemini South telescope has suspended all scientific operations. The telescope and instruments have been shut down safely over the course of the past week with very limited staff on the mountain. 
• Limited scientific operations continue for now at Gemini North with remote observing and limited daytime summit crews. Watch for updates on the Gemini North status over the next week.
• In alignment with all facilities of NSF’s Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (OIR Lab), staff at base facilities are moving to telework arrangements.
• All OIR Lab sites are closed to visitors; events, and all tours and classroom visits have been suspended.
• No solicitation of Fast Turnaround Proposals for Gemini for the 31 March deadline.
• Proposals for Director’s Discretionary Time are not being accepted for either Gemini North or South until at least 15 April 2020.
• Most Gemini partner Time Allocation Committee meetings have been changed from in-person to virtual, and some proposal deadlines may be revised. Please check with your National Gemini Offices for updates.
• The Gemini Science Meeting scheduled for June 2020 is postponed. All who have paid their registration fee for this meeting will receive a refund. There are plans to reschedule the meeting in Korea next year. Updates for next year’s meeting will be sent to all who registered for this year’s meeting and we invite all others to subscribe to updates at: http://www.gemini.edu/gsm2020.

We ask for the understanding of all those who may be affected by these measures. We are fully committed to putting the well-being and safety of people first. Read more, and find the latest updates on the AURA website.