In 2000 and 2001, two 27ft telescopes, located in Hawaii and Chili, began scientific operations as the Gemini Observatories.  Named for the constellation Gemini, the twins, the optical/infrared telescopes are among the largest and most advanced available to astronomers.  Named Gemini North (Hawaii) and Gemini South (Chili) when discussing the individual observatories, Gemini is usually referred to in the singular, with no distinction.

Gemini South - Image shamelessly lifted from the Gemini Website

Built and operated jointly by the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chili, any astronomer from these countries can apply for observatory time on Gemini.  What’s really cool is a scientist doesn’t have to be physically present at the observatory to operate the telescope; Gemini is designed to be remotely operated.  This saves astronomers valuable time (and expense, of course), and makes Gemini extremely responsive to unexpected celestial events; like this image of Jupiter getting hit by an asteroid:

Being a land-based observatory, Gemini must deal with distortions from the Earth’s atmosphere (something for which space telescopes like the Hubble don’t have to compensate).  In order to compensate for the distortion, the telescopes operate with a system of “adaptive optics”.  In effect, Gemini is wearing glasses.

Since beginning its scientific work, Gemini has been responsible for some ground-breaking discoveries.  Imaging the Milky Way’s galactic core, Gemini’s combined optical/infrared images returned images clearer and more detailed than has ever before been possible.  Most recently, Gemini confirmed the imaging of a planet around a distant star (read Tom’s post here).  That’s just the most recent in a long line of Gemini-based discoveries.  If you have a minute, take a look at these links from the Gemini website.  It would take a whole ‘nother post to talk about these discoveries, but it’s well-worth your time to take a look.

Gemini weighs in as the “next generation” in telescope optics, and it’s a heavy hitter.  I can’t wait to see what happens next.