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NSF PA/M 02-36 - August 8,
2002
Gemini Data Link Celebrated in Four-Way Event
An international team of astronomers will introduce
a new data link creating a seven-country "cyber observatory"
through the new high-speed Internet connection between
the twin Gemini telescopes in Hawaii and Chile. The
link will be introduced August 13 at the National
Science Foundation (NSF) in Arlington, Va., at Florida
International University in Miami, Fla., and at the
telescope headquarters in Hilo, Hawaii, and La Serena,
Chile. The Gemini Observatory will also announce a
sister cities teacher exchange.
Networks already existed to transmit large amounts
of astronomical data within the United States and
in several other nations, but connections across many
international boundaries have taken longer to develop.
The new connection, in the works for five years, allows
live-time remote observations and scientific data
sharing generated by the instruments on either telescope
to scientists around the world without leaving their
offices. The link was enabled with funding from NSF,
an Internet portal to South American research institutions
provided by Florida International University, and
Internet2, a university research and development consortium.
The Gemini 8-meter telescopes were built and are operated
by an international partnership of seven nations.
NSF serves as executive agency for the partnership.
Who:
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Wayne Van Citters and Tom Greene, NSF
Jim Kennedy and Matt Mountain, Gemini
Observatory
Mayors of Big Island, Hawaii, and La Serena,
Chile
Other participants to be announced
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What:
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Inauguration of Gemini data link
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When:
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3:00 P.M., EDT
Tuesday, August 13
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Where:
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National Science Foundation, Room 1150
4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA (Ballston
Metro Stop)
Check in at security desk, 9th & Stuart
entrance
(NOTE: Access to NSF must be
pre-arranged.*)
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For more information or to register, contact:
Amber Jones, NSF (703) 292-8070/aljones@nsf.gov
Peter Michaud, Gemini, (808) 974-2510/pmichaud@gemini.edu
* For directions, see: http://www.nsf.gov/home/visit/visitjump.htm
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