AAS 246
Visit the US-Extremely Large Telescope Program and NOIRLab Booths!
The US Extremely Large Telescope Program (US-ELTP) will provide U.S.-based astronomers with nationally funded all-sky observing access to two of the world’s most powerful telescopes, the Giant Magellan Telescope and Thirty Meter Telescope. NSF NOIRLab will facilitate an open peer-review process of observing proposals, archive all data from both observatories, and provide an extensive suite of user support and data analysis services. Learn more at useltp.org.
Visit us at booth 304.
NSF NOIRLab is the U.S. national center for ground-based, nighttime optical astronomy. The mission of NOIRLab is to enable breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics by developing and operating state-of-the-art ground-based observatories and providing data products and services for our community. We enable the astronomy community to advance humanity’s understanding of the Universe by exploring significant areas of astrophysics, including dark energy and dark matter, galaxies and quasars, the Milky Way, exoplanets, and small bodies in our Solar System.
Visit us at booth 308.
Events & Presentations
The events listed below are either organized by NOIRLab and US-ELTP, have significant involvement from NOIRLab staff, or discuss NOIRLab Programs.
NOIRLab Town Hall
NSF NOIRLab is the U.S. national center for ground-based, nighttime optical astronomy, providing the community with cutting-edge facilities and infrastructure for astronomical discovery. This town hall will discuss NSF’s ongoing Portfolio Prioritization Process (P3), through which the entirety of the NOIRLab portfolio is being evaluated on a holistic basis, leaving ample time for community input and questions. We will also report on NOIRLab’s plans to respond to an uncertain federal funding landscape, as well as updates on the Rubin Observatory’s start of operations.
Rubin Observatory Town Hall
The wait is almost over! NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s First Look is almost here, and LSST is about to begin.
Rubin Observatory is in the final phase of commissioning and will soon begin the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST)! Join us as we celebrate this milestone, get ready to complete construction, and gear up for full operations.
At this Town Hall you’ll get the latest updates on construction progress, including the installation of the LSST Camera on the Simonyi Survey Telescope. The Operations team will share details on upcoming data previews and ways to get involved with Rubin. You’ll also hear about new initiatives from the LSST Discovery Alliance, designed to help the science community make the most of Rubin and LSST.
Come be part of this exciting moment in astronomical history—the future of discovery starts now!
Exhibit Resources and Handouts
US-ELTP
- US-ELTP Website
- US-ELTP Lithograph: Finding the Ideal Location
- US-ELTP Lithograph: Adaptive Optics
- US-ELTP Lithograph: Revealing the Secrets of the Dark Universe
- US-ELTP Lithograph: The Search for Life Beyond Earth
- US-ELTP Lithograph: Exoplanet System Formation
- US-ELTP Career Profiles
- US-ELTP Two Telescopes, One System (English, Spanish)
- TMT Papercraft
- US-ELTP Virtual Tour
NOIRLab
- NOIRLab Website
- NOIRLab Brochure
- NOIRLab Mirror, Issue 8
- NOIRLab Capabilities 2025
- Gemini Capabilities 2025
- Globe at Night postcard (English)
- Globe at Night postcard (Spanish)
- Lithographs
Social Media
We’ll be running a #AAS246 campaign on the @NOIRLabScience X account—follow along for updates and highlights!
Don’t forget to tag @NOIRLabAstro in your posts—we’d love to see and share your experience!
Presentations involving NOIRLab staff and Programs
Updated on May 29, 2025, 6:27 am