Gemini South & Cerro Pachon

Esta toma exterior del telescopio de Gemini Sur muestra el resultado del Sistema Multi-Conjugado de óptica adaptativa de Gemini (GeMS) con el Capturador de Imágenes de Óptica Adaptativa de Gemini Sur (GSAOI). La luz del láser se divide en cinco haces separados que son necesarios para el sistema de óptica adaptativa de Gemini. 

This stunning photograph taken, with a fish-eye lens from inside the Gemini South dome, shows the telescope nested in its altazimuth mount, pointing just high enough so that its monstrous 8-meter primary mirror is visible.

This exterior shot of Gemini South shows the result of the Gemini Multi-conjugate adaptive optics System (GeMS) with the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) propagating a laser guide star toward the zenith. Gemini South acquired the 50-watt sodium Guide Star Laser System back in March 2010. It moved into regular operations soon thereafter.

Close up view of the new laser propagating from the Gemini South telescope. Full Resolution TIF (99.7 MB) Medium Resolution JPG (139 KB) Gemini Observatory Image/Video Usage Policy

Fish eye view of the Gemini South Laser propagating into the zenith during the first night of on-sky laser operations. Full Resolution TIF (99.7 MB) Medium Resolution JPG (94 KB) Gemini Observatory Image/Video Usage Policy

Another image of the Gemini South Laser propagating through the slit during commissioning of the Multi Conjugate Adaptive Optics System. Full Resolution TIF (99.7 MB) Medium Resolution JPG (115 KB) Gemini Observatory Image/Video Usage Policy

An exterior shot of the Gemini South Multi Conjugate Adaptive Optics system in operation as the new laser is propagated at the zenith position. Full Resolution TIF (99.7 MB) Medium Resolution JPG (70 KB) Gemini Observatory Image/Video Usage Policy

This is a closeup view of the secondary mirror structure at the end of the telescope with the laser propagating on the interior of the dome. Prior to the first test on-sky, it is first tested inside the dome. Full Resolution TIF ( MB) Medium Resolution JPG (160 KB) Gemini Observatory Image/Video Usage Policy

The Gemini South telescope on the night of January 21-22, 2011 during the first propagation of the GeMS laser guide star system on the sky. A bright gibbous moon illuminates the landscape for this 20-second fisheye lens view.

Laser Propagation Onto the Dome. Before going on-sky, the team tested the laser's power by propagating it into the dome. Full Resolution TIF (49.9 MB) Medium Resolution JPG (217 KB) Gemini Observatory Image/Video Usage Policy