NOIRLab

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National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab)
NOIRLab logo[1]
MottoDiscovering Our Universe Together
Established2019 (2019)
Field of research
Astronomy
DirectorPatrick McCarthy[2]
Deputy Director
Stuartt Corder[3]
LocationTucson, Arizona, United States
Sponsoring agency
National Science Foundation
Operating agency
Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
Websitenoirlab.edu Edit this at Wikidata

NSF’s NOIRLab (National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory) is a United States federally funded research and development center for ground-based, nighttime optical and infrared astronomy.

History[edit]

Before the foundation of the NOIRLab, NSF-sponsored optical-infrared ground-based astronomical facilities were managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), but were structured as separate organizations. These included the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), which managed Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo, and the Community Science and Data Center. AURA also managed Gemini Observatory as well as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, then under construction. On October 1, 2019, these three observatories merged operations to form NOIRLab.[4]

Organization[edit]

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) operates the NOIRLab and its facilities under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF).[5]

Programs[edit]

NOIRLab operates the following programs:

References[edit]

  1. ^ "NOIRLab logo". Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Leadership". noirlab.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  3. ^ "Stuartt Corder Appointed NOIRLab Deputy Director and AURA Mission Scientist in Chile - Stuartt Corder will start as Deputy Director of NOIRLab and AURA Mission Scientist in Chile on 7 November". www.noirlab.edu. Retrieved 2023-01-22.
  4. ^ "NSF's National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory Launched". 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  5. ^ "NOIRLab". AURA Astronomy. Retrieved 2020-09-11.