NSF's National Optical-infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory: Management and Operations of the Gemini Observatory

NSF 国家光学红外天文学研究实验室：双子座天文台的管理和运营

• 批准号: 1539773
• 负责人: Charles Mattias Mountain
• 金额: $ 20879.99万
• 依托单位: Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Cooperative Agreement
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2023-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1539773&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NSF; National; Optical; infrared; Astronomy

The Gemini Observatory is an international partnership that operates two large 8 meter diameter telescopes designed for observing at visible and infrared wavelengths. Situated on the summits of Maunakea, Hawai'i and Cerro Pachon, Chile, the Gemini telescopes occupy the darkest, driest, and best-developed sites for astronomy in both hemispheres. The telescopes combine a large light-collecting area with exquisite image quality to maintain best-in-class capability that is particularly suited for rapid response to astronomical transients and high-resolution imaging. With the mission "to advance our knowledge of the Universe by providing the international Gemini Community with forefront access to the entire sky", Gemini provides the largest-aperture optical/infrared (OIR) telescopes in the world for general U.S. community access. This award supports the ongoing operations of Gemini for the international partnership.The international Gemini partnership includes Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and the United States as full participants; Australia and Korea are currently limited-term collaborators. To enable the international Gemini user community to conduct the highest priority science prescribed in the strategic plans of all the Gemini partner countries, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) proposes to position the Gemini Observatory as the world's most versatile optical-infrared 8-meter telescopes. In AURA's vision, research at Gemini will complement the scientific discoveries of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and large surveys such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). AURA's proposal emphasizes the core values of (1) users' science driving Gemini operations and instrumentation and (2) understanding the needs of Gemini's diverse user communities. Gemini is well-equipped to study diverse topics, including the solar system, planetary nebulae, star formation, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, the formation and evolution of galaxies, quasars and supermassive black holes, and the structure of the universe on the largest scales. Recent developments in instrumentation have brought Gemini to the forefront of research on extrasolar planets. AURA will continue to develop instrumentation that achieves excellent spatial and spectral resolving power and world-leading capabilities for adaptive optics on uniquely large scales, opening new scientific vistas in concert with the next-generation telescopes mentioned above. A vigorous visitor instrument program will complement the facility-class instruments, allowing community members to conduct their own experiments while at the same time opening new opportunities for all users.AURA proposes a flexible operations model to attract and efficiently execute the best ideas in research. Gemini offers observational programs targeted towards a wide range of science needs, including an innovative Fast Turnaround program that enables researchers to turn a new idea into an executed program within weeks, and a Large and Long program designed for comprehensive studies requiring large amounts of observing time. AURA also maintains a range of observing modes to make the most efficient use of the Observatory. In addition to queue observations carried out by Observatory staff and classical observations carried out by scientists who travel to the telescope on their allotted nights, AURA has implemented a Poor Weather program that keeps track of observations that can be made in overcast conditions and a Priority Visitor mode that allows observers to come to the telescope for longer than their formal allocation and choose when to observe their targets. To further increase efficiency, AURA will develop the capability for staff to perform nighttime observations from remote base stations; indeed, remote operations from Hilo have already been commissioned at Gemini-North.AURA strongly supports professional development for Gemini staff, particularly in the areas of project management and systems engineering, and includes tailored retention plans and succession planning to avoid disruptive changes in key personnel. AURA actively seeks to increase participation of groups that are traditionally under-represented in the workforce. Gemini's Diversity Advocates implement workforce development programs tailored to site-specific diversity issues in Chile and Hawai'i. AURA will continue refining and enhancing its successful workforce diversity practices for the term of this award. AURA supports education and promotes to society the broader benefits that accrue from accomplishing Gemini's mission, proposing a series of activities that are designed to develop local STEM talent as well as to communicate Gemini's discoveries. AURA will continue its Journey through the Universe/Viaje al Universo, Live from Gemini, and AstroDay programs that reach over 8,000 K-12 students annually in Hawai'i and Chile, its internship program that places undergraduate and graduate students at the Observatory each year, and dissemination of information about the Observatory and its scientific output through press releases and social media. An assessment of Gemini's outreach programs will identify best practices and establish a process for ongoing evaluation throughout the term of the award.Stakeholder communication is crucial to the success of Gemini. AURA's staffing model includes a core group of active scientists who conduct a portion of their own research at Gemini, keeping the managing organization tightly connected to the needs and perspectives of external users. AURA's interaction with the research community includes the organization of triennial Gemini science meetings and participation in the annual meetings of the astronomical societies in all the partner countries. The Observatory has regular contact with the National Gemini Offices in each partner country through its operations working group, and representatives of the international partners participate in the AURA and Gemini governing and operational management structures. As part of AURA's management and oversight of Gemini, AURA will regularly review the technical, financial, and administrative functioning of Gemini as well as AURA's own governance and business practices. Key Performance Indicators and both qualitative and quantitative assessments will inform Gemini activities and AURA policies to achieve optimal management and operation of Gemini.

双子座天文台是一个国际合作伙伴，它运行着两个直径8米的大型望远镜，用于观测可见光和红外波长。双子座望远镜位于夏威夷的茂纳克山和智利的塞罗帕琴山顶，占据了两个半球最黑暗、最干燥、最发达的天文观测地点。该望远镜结合了大的光收集区域和精美的图像质量，以保持一流的能力，特别适合对天文瞬变和高分辨率成像的快速反应。其使命是“通过为国际双子座社区提供通往整个天空的前沿通道，提高我们对宇宙的认识”，双子座为美国社区提供了世界上最大口径的光学/红外（OIR）望远镜。该奖项支持双子座国际合作伙伴关系的持续运营。国际双子座合作伙伴包括阿根廷、巴西、加拿大、智利和美国作为正式参与者；澳大利亚和韩国目前是有限期限的合作伙伴。为了使国际双子座用户社区能够执行所有双子座合作伙伴国家战略计划中规定的最高优先级科学，天文学研究大学协会（AURA）建议将双子座天文台定位为世界上最通用的光学红外8米望远镜。在AURA的愿景中，双子座的研究将补充阿塔卡马大型毫米波阵列（ALMA）、詹姆斯韦伯太空望远镜（JWST）和大型天气巡天望远镜（LSST）等大型巡天的科学发现。AURA的提案强调了(1)用户科学驱动双子座操作和仪器的核心价值，(2)了解双子座不同用户群体的需求。双子座有能力研究不同的主题，包括太阳系、行星状星云、恒星形成、超新星、伽马射线暴、星系的形成和演化、类星体和超大质量黑洞，以及最大尺度上的宇宙结构。仪器仪表的最新发展将双子座带到了太阳系外行星研究的前沿。AURA将继续开发仪器，在独特的大尺度上实现出色的空间和光谱分辨率以及世界领先的自适应光学能力，与上述下一代望远镜一起开辟新的科学前景。一个充满活力的访客仪器项目将补充设施级仪器，允许社区成员进行自己的实验，同时为所有用户提供新的机会。AURA提出了一种灵活的运营模式，以吸引和有效地执行研究中的最佳想法。双子座提供针对广泛科学需求的观测项目，包括一个创新的快速周转项目，使研究人员能够在几周内将一个新想法转化为一个可执行的项目，以及一个为需要大量观测时间的综合研究而设计的大型长期项目。AURA还维持一系列观测模式，以最有效地利用天文台。除了天文台工作人员进行的排队观测和科学家在分配的夜晚前往望远镜进行的经典观测外，AURA还实施了一个恶劣天气计划，跟踪可能在阴天条件下进行的观测，以及一个优先访问者模式，允许观测者在望远镜前停留的时间超过他们的正式分配，并选择何时观测他们的目标。为了进一步提高效率，AURA将发展工作人员从远程基站进行夜间观测的能力；事实上，从希洛开始的远程操作已经在双子座-北进行。AURA大力支持双子座员工的专业发展，特别是在项目管理和系统工程领域，并包括量身定制的保留计划和继任计划，以避免关键人员的破坏性变化。AURA积极寻求增加传统上在劳动力中代表性不足的群体的参与。双子座的多元化倡导者实施了针对智利和夏威夷特定地点的多元化问题量身定制的劳动力发展计划。AURA将在本合同期限内继续完善和加强其成功的员工多样性实践。AURA支持教育，并通过完成双子座的使命向社会推广更广泛的利益，提出了一系列旨在培养当地STEM人才以及传播双子座发现的活动。AURA将继续开展“宇宙之旅”（Journey through Universe/Viaje al Universo）、“双子座现场直播”（Live from Gemini）和AstroDay项目，这些项目每年覆盖夏威夷和智利的8000多名K-12学生，它的实习项目每年将本科生和研究生安置在天文台，并通过新闻稿和社交媒体传播有关天文台及其科学成果的信息。对Gemini公司外展项目的评估将确定最佳实践，并在整个合同期限内建立持续评估流程。与利益相关者沟通对双子座的成功至关重要。AURA的人员配置模式包括一个活跃的科学家核心小组，他们在Gemini进行自己的部分研究，使管理组织与外部用户的需求和观点紧密联系。AURA与研究界的互动包括组织三年一次的双子座科学会议，并参加所有合作国家天文学会的年会。天文台通过其业务工作组与每个伙伴国家的国家双子座办事处保持定期联系，国际伙伴的代表参加AURA和双子座的治理和业务管理结构。作为AURA对Gemini的管理和监督的一部分，AURA将定期审查Gemini的技术、财务和行政职能以及AURA自身的治理和业务实践。关键绩效指标和定性和定量评估将为双子座的活动和AURA政策提供信息，以实现双子座的最佳管理和运营。