Gemini's infrared instrument Flamingos-2: Poised for discovery

This FLAMINGOS-2 image details part of the magnificent Swan Nebula (M17), where ultraviolet radiation streaming from young hot stars sculpts a dense region of dust and gas into myriad fanciful forms. 

M17 lies some 5,200 light-years distant in the constellation Sagittarius and is one of the most massive and luminous star-forming region's in our Galaxy. 

It is also one of the most studied. Field of view: 5.5 x 4.0 arcmin. 

Credit: Gemini Observatory/AURA

Gemini Observatory's latest instrument, a powerful infrared camera and spectrograph at Gemini South, reveals its potential in a series of striking on-sky commissioning images released today.

Gemini Observatory's latest tool for astronomers, a second-generation infrared instrument called FLAMINGOS-2, has "traveled a long road" to begin science observations for the Gemini scientific community.

Recent images taken by FLAMINGOS-2 during its last commissioning phase dramatically illustrate that the instrument was worth the wait for astronomers around the world who are anxious to begin using it.

Nancy Levenson

"It's already one of our most requested instruments at the Gemini telescopes," remarks Nancy Levenson, Gemini's Deputy Director and Head of Science.

"We see a long and productive life ahead for FLAMINGOS-2 once astronomers really start using it later this year."

"It has not been an easy journey," says Percy Gomez Gemini's FLAMINGOS-2 Instrument Scientist, "but thanks to the dedicated work of Gemini engineers and scientists very soon astronomers will be able to use a reliable and robust instrument."

After significant redesign and rebuilds for optimal performance on the Gemini South telescope, FLAMINGOS-2 has proven that it will provide astronomers with a powerful mix of capabilities.

These include extreme sensitivity to infrared (heat) radiation from the universe, high-resolution wide-field imaging, and a combination of spectroscopic capabilities that will allow cutting-edge research in topics spanning from the exploration of our Solar System, to the most distant and energetic explosions in our universe.