Gemini Strategic Planning Town Halls

The International Gemini Observatory has initiated the process of shaping its long-range strategy for the next decade. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to chart the course toward enhancing Gemini's capabilities, setting priorities, and fostering community collaboration well into the 2030s.

As we envision the future of Gemini Observatory, we recognize the importance of engaging with diverse voices within the astronomical community. To facilitate this dialogue, we will be hosting two Virtual Town Halls on: 

• 21 May 2024, at 8 a.m. HST/11 a.m. MST/2 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. CLT via Zoom 
• 23 May 2024, at 3 p.m. HST/6 p.m. MST/9 p.m. EDT/9 p.m. CLT via Zoom

These sessions are open to all members of the astronomy community, including students and researchers at all career stages, regardless of their familiarity with Gemini. We welcome both frequent users and those who have yet to utilize Gemini’s resources to participate actively. During these town halls, we will review the upgrades to be completed by Gemini Observatory by 2028 and seek input on new instrumentation and major capabilities upgrades to continue advancing scientific discovery in the upcoming decade.

In addition to the Town Halls, we invite the submission of Community Brief Recommendations. These concise reports, no more than two pages in length including figures, should address areas of growth and development that Gemini should consider, such as:

1. Over the next 10–15 years, should Gemini develop new workhorse instruments for its two sites, or maintain a broad range of specialized instruments? What are the critical capabilities that the next generation of Gemini instruments should have?
2. What synergies with other space- and ground-based missions should Gemini prioritize? What technical capabilities should be optimized to guarantee the success of these initiatives?
3. What data and/or archive improvements would increase Gemini’s scientific return in the 2030s?
4. How can Gemini pave the way for the US-ELTP and the Habitable Worlds Observatory?

Submissions should be sent to gemini-community-papers@noirlab.edu by 13 September 2024. Authors may be contacted for clarification or further input by the Gemini Chief Scientist, Elena Sabbi.

Your participation and feedback are invaluable as we shape the future of Gemini. Thank you for your support of our strategic planning process!