Notes for Visitors and Visiting Observers

The Gemini offices in Hilo are located at:

GEMINI OBSERVATORY
Northern Operations Center
670 N. A'ohoku Place
Hilo, Hawaii, 96720, United States
Phone: (+1) 808 974 2500
Fax: (+1) 808 974 2589

See a map of the local area.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR A GEMINI NORTH OBSERVING RUN

We strongly recommend that you make your travel arrangements as soon as possible, because flights to Hawai'i are generally booked well in advance.

Travel from your home institution to Hawai'i is YOUR responsibility. Your hotel and car reservations in Hilo will be handled by Terry Kaonohi who will be your administrative contact person at the Gemini Observatory, Northern Operations Center. You can reach Terry at:

Terry Kaonohi
Tel.: (+1) 808 974 2524
Fax : (+1) 808 974 2599
e-mail: tkaonohi@gemini.edu

Terry will also be in charge of other local arrangements during your observing run, including your reservation at Hale Pohaku and for a Gemini vehicle to travel between Hale Pohaku and the summit of Mauna Kea. It is very important for us to know when you will be at Hale Pohaku, and when you will need to to go to the summit to ensure the adequate management of summit vehicles and keys for the dome.

When you arrive in Hilo, you will be given a visitor's computer account. It is important for us to know whether you will spend some time at the Hilo Base Facility. If so, we will provide you with a desk, a computer and some basic facilities.

We will also offer you, if you wish, a package of general information on Hilo, its surroundings and the Big Island: things to do, before or after your observing run.

For any matter related to the technical or scientific aspects of your run, you should get in touch with your Contact Scientist.

Please see the INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISITING OBSERVERS for full details and request form(s).

SAFETY

Strict safety rules are enforced to ensure your well-being and that of the Gemini staff. The Safety Officer (your System Support Associate [SSA] during the night) has full authority in these matters. Note that there is a 14 hour limit for continuous work at the summit at the Gemini Observatory. Your SSA has the responsibility and authority to apply this rule if needed, and you must respect it.

We wish you good weather and great observing!