NSF PR 02-67 - August 13, 2002
Internet Link Moves Gemini Closer to Becoming First
"Cyber Observatory"
A unique combination of international cooperation and
the latest Internet technology will allow Gemini Observatory
to become the first international "cyber observatory."
Gemini, with funding and support from the National
Science Foundation (NSF), is blazing an Internet pathway
that will provide its globally separated telescopes
with a reliable data transfer connection. The connection
will allow real-time remote observations and sharing
of scientific data generated by the twin 8-meter telescopes
located on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, and on Cerro Pachón
in the Chilean Andes.
The link was enabled by the support and technology
of Internet2, a university-led networking research
and development consortium, and AMPATH, a Florida
International University Internet portal to research
institutions in South America. It was inaugurated
today at a four-way videoconferencing event at NSF
in Arlington, Va., at Florida International University
in Miami, in Hawaii and in Chile.
Wayne Van Citters, director of NSF's astronomy division,
said, "Gemini has laid the foundation for a new way
of doing astronomy that will allow us to see farther,
fainter and sharper than ever before. This exemplifies
what can be achieved through international scientific
cooperation." Gemini is a partnership of seven countries--the
United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia,
Argentina, Brazil and Chile. NSF serves as executive
agency for the partnership.
"With this successfully completed final Internet phase,
Gemini Observatory now becomes a valuable global resource
for the worldwide scientific community," said Thomas
Greene, of NSF's computer and information sciences
and engineering directorate, who coordinated the contributions
of the various scientific and governmental agencies.
The new link will mean Gemini can achieve its "cyber
observatory" goal at about one-tenth the cost of establishing
a similar high-quality connection through commercial
channels.
The connection has been under development for five
years. While networks to support science already existed
within the United States and several other nations,
connecting these networks across international boundaries
posed obstacles such as locating a high-speed, high-capacity
access point in South America.
"Gemini South is the first U.S.-managed research program
in South America to access the Internet2 network infrastructure,"
said Gemini Director of Operations James Kennedy,
who led the Gemini initiative to establish the link.
"Now all we are limited by is the speed of light."
At today's event, Gemini Observatory Director Matt
Mountain also announced a new teacher exchange program
between Hawaii and Chile. The program will allow educators
to share their science interests and their respective
cultural heritages using the new Gemini technology
in an Internet classroom that will connect the two
communities.
|