The first of two Gemini telescopes will be dedicated on June 25, 1999, near the summit of Hawaii's Mauna Kea. Gemini North and its partner, Gemini South in Chile, are among the largest, most advanced telescopes in the world. They will give astronomers some of the sharpest optical and infrared views ever, as they explore the origin, evolution, and structure of the universe.

Officials expected to participate in the June dedication of Gemini North include National Science Foundation Director Rita Colwell and His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.

The following media events are planned; however, due to restricted space at the summit observatory, the number of invited media will be limited. Media representatives must contact the National Science Foundation (NSF) or the U.S. Gemini Program office by June 11, 1999, to request space. (A block of hotel rooms is being held until June 2.)

Friday, June 25

• Dedication of Gemini North at Mauna Kea summit, 11:15 a.m.; hosted by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc.
• Release of Gemini North images
• Press conference with briefings on Gemini's scientific objectives and technology

Saturday, June 26

• Media tours of Gemini North
• Dinner at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel; keynote speaker Dr. Robert Kirshner, Chairman and Professor of Astronomy, Harvard University; sponsored by Corning Incorporated

Saturday & Sunday, June 26 & 27

• Media tours of the Mauna Loa Atmospheric Observatory, Global Oscillation Network Group station (solar observations), and Hawaii Volcano Observatory

Note: Ground transportation from hotels to all remote press activities will be provided for invited media. The dedication will be simulcast to the Gemini Operations Center in Hilo for those unable to attend the summit event. Audio feeds will be available at both sites. Press kits and B-roll footage will be available at the dedication or in advance by contacting NSF or the U.S. Gemini Program office.

For more information contact:
Amber Jones, National Science Foundation
703-306-1070, [email protected]
Elizabeth Alvarez, U.S. Gemini Program
520-318-8385, [email protected]
Peter Michaud, Gemini Observatory
808-974-2510, [email protected]

For photographs and additional details on the Gemini Observatory see:
http://www.noao.edu/usgp (U.S.)
http://www.us_gemini.noao.edu/media/media1.html (international)

BACKGROUND ON GEMINI TELESCOPES

The Gemini 8-meter Observatory Project is a multi-national effort that will provide two nearly identical 8-meter telescopes that together can explore the entire sky in both optical and infrared light. Gemini North is expected to start scientific operations by mid-2000, and Gemini South, on Cerro Pach�n in northern Chile, about a year later. Both telescopes will incorporate new technologies that allow large, relatively thin mirrors to collect and focus starlight. At infared wavelengths, these technologies make it possible at times to achieve even more clarity than is possible with the Hubble Space Telescope. The $184-million project is on schedule and within budget.

Gemini receives major funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which acts as the executive agency for the international partnership. The other Gemini partners are the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. Each country contributes significant scientific, technical, and financial support. The Gemini Observatory Project is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA), a non-profit consortium of 29 U.S. institutions and five international affiliates.

The Gemini telescopes are the largest, most advanced optical/infrared telescopes available to astronomers in the United States regardless of institutional affiliation. U.S. astronomers will receive almost half of the observing time on Gemini. The U.S. gateway to Gemini is the U.S. Gemini Program, a division of the National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO) in Tucson, Arizona. NOAO is operated by AURA under a cooperative agreement with the NSF.

The U.S. Gemini Program is located at the National Science Foundation's National Optical Astronomy Observatories, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: 520-318-8385, Fax: 520-318-8360. Send e-mails to Elizabeth Alvarez at [email protected].