February 23, 2011 - Astronomy.com
When two galaxies merge to form a giant, the central supermassive black hole in the new galaxy develops an insatiable appetite. However, this ferocious appetite is unsustainable.
For the first time, observations with the Gemini Observatory clearly reveal an extreme, large-scale galactic outflow that brings the cosmic dinner to a halt. The outflow is effectively blowing the galaxy apart in a negative feedback loop, depriving the galaxy's monstrous black hole of the gas and dust it needs to sustain its frenetic growth. It also limits the material available for the galaxy to make new generations of stars.
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Monday, February 28, 2011
Imaging extra-solar planets with adaptive optics and a MEMS mirror
February 22, 2011 - SPIE.org
The Gemini Planet Imager will measure exoplanets that are a million times fainter than their host star.
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The Gemini Planet Imager will measure exoplanets that are a million times fainter than their host star.
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Quasar's belch solves longstanding mystery (w/ Video)
February 24, 2011 - PhysOrg.com
For the first time, observations with the Gemini Observatory clearly reveal an extreme, large-scale galactic outflow that brings the cosmic dinner to a halt. The outflow is effectively blowing the galaxy apart in a negative feedback loop, depriving the galaxy's monstrous black hole of the gas and dust it needs to sustain its frenetic growth. It also limits the material available for the galaxy to make new generations of stars.
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For the first time, observations with the Gemini Observatory clearly reveal an extreme, large-scale galactic outflow that brings the cosmic dinner to a halt. The outflow is effectively blowing the galaxy apart in a negative feedback loop, depriving the galaxy's monstrous black hole of the gas and dust it needs to sustain its frenetic growth. It also limits the material available for the galaxy to make new generations of stars.
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Halt, Black Hole! Gemini Captures Explosions That Deprive Black Holes of Mass
February 23, 2011 - Universe Today
Astronomers have long suspected that something must stymie actively growing black holes, because most galaxies in the local universe don’t have them. Now, the Gemini Observatory has captured a galactic check-and-balance — a large-scale quasar outflow in the galaxy Markarian 231 that appears to be depriving a supermassive black hole its diet of gas and dust.
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Thursday, February 10, 2011
Sodium guide stars completed at Gemini
February 2, 2011 - optics.org
A laser system built by Lockheed Martin Coherent Technologies has added five new “stars” to the night sky above Chile, as part of an advanced optical system that will enable astronomers to capture ultra-sharp, wide-field images.
The so-called laser guide stars – actually sodium atoms high in the atmosphere glowing after being elevated into excited states by the 50 W laser – are the key part of a cutting-edge adaptive optics system that will significantly reduce the “blurring” effect caused by turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere.
In the early morning of January 22, astronomers witnessed the first propagation of the Gemini South telescope laser system, with the five guide stars captured on camera through a small telescope.
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Jupiter sinks titanic asteroid
February 10, 2011 - Astronomy Now
Jupiter's impressive 2009 scar, which was first spotted by amateur astronomer Anthony Wesley, was likely created by an asteroid the size of the Titanic cruise liner, say scientists who studied the aftermath of the collision.
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A dark black marking was observed visually on the giant planet on 19 July 2009 by Anthony Wesley, who alerted professional astronomers around the world. Follow-up observations from NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility in Mauna Kea, the Gemini North and South telescopes, ESO's Very Large Telescope and even the Hubble Space Telescope in the week after, enabled astronomers to observe the warm temperatures and chemical reactions caused by the impact.
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Jupiter's impressive 2009 scar, which was first spotted by amateur astronomer Anthony Wesley, was likely created by an asteroid the size of the Titanic cruise liner, say scientists who studied the aftermath of the collision.
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A dark black marking was observed visually on the giant planet on 19 July 2009 by Anthony Wesley, who alerted professional astronomers around the world. Follow-up observations from NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility in Mauna Kea, the Gemini North and South telescopes, ESO's Very Large Telescope and even the Hubble Space Telescope in the week after, enabled astronomers to observe the warm temperatures and chemical reactions caused by the impact.
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Five-star image
January 27, 2011 - West Hawaii Today
Astronomers at Gemini South created a five-star sodium laser guide star constellation this weekend, the first such guidance constellation, telescope officials said.
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Gemini Telescope's "Bad-Seeing Blaster"
February 1, 2011 - Sky & Telescope
Anyone who's been to a group observing session recently knows how valuable green lasers have become to our enjoyment of stargazing. Those pencil-thin beams of light allow us to point out objects in the sky and even to aim our telescopes effortlessly. (Of course, some idiots insist on pointing them at aircraft, a dangerous practice that's a huge disservice to those of us who use them responsibly.)
At the professional level, the stakes are higher and the toys bigger. Many major observatories already have — or are developing — systems that use powerful lasers to project pinpoints of light high in the atmosphere. These serve as artificial guide stars for adaptive-optics systems that correct for less-than-ideal "seeing" (atmospheric turbulence). When everything works, celestial targets can be recorded with astonishing clarity.
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