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GMTO Newsletter - July 2019


Welcome

We have just returned from a successful trip to Chile to view the total solar eclipse with a group of friends of GMT. The weather was perfect and we were in awe of totality. Read our report below.
 
In project news, we have recently taken delivery of our second primary mirror segment from the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab. The surface accuracy of this mirror is even better than the first mirror, and we moved it into temporary storage earlier this month.
 
The project spent the first half of this year preparing for and undertaking a large review of its practices, budget, and schedule. The review committee was very pleased with the work the team produced. The result of the review was positive, with the committee stating that "the present team can deliver the GMT." The driving forces behind the success of the review were Project Manager James Fanson, and Project Business Manager Nune Boyadjian Wheeler and her team - you can read Nune's profile in this newsletter.
 
In fundraising success, the University of Texas at Austin received a $10 million gift from David Booth to support the construction of the GMT. We are grateful to Mr. Booth for his generosity and to GMTO's Vice-Chair from the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Taft Armandroff, for his leadership.
 
Dr. Walter Massey, Chair of GMTO's Board of Directors received the prestigious Vannevar Bush Award in May. The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy.
 
Finally, in Chile, a high-profile event was held with the EcoScience Foundation outside the Presidential Palace in Santiago where the Minister for Science launched the Mobile Astronomy Lab (LabMóvil ConCiencia Astronomy). This unique laboratory includes a state-of-the-art inflatable planetarium and a portable telescope, together with an innovative and inclusive educational program based on the best practices in science education.
 
Remember you can always keep up to date with what's happening at GMTO from our website or from our presence on social media.


-Dr. Patrick McCarthy

On July 2, 2019, a total solar eclipse was visible across Chile and Argentina. The narrow band where totality was observed passed less than a mile from the Giant Magellan Telescope site at the southern edge of the Atacama Desert in Chile. GMTO held a special, private event to watch the eclipse at a location not far from the GMT site.

Read more...

GMT primary mirror #2 has been completed at the Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab at the University of Arizona. It was moved from the Mirror Lab to temporary storage by Precision Heavy Haul in the early hours of July 18, 2019.


In the first part of the year, the project underwent a major review of its technical and financial plans and schedule - known as a 'baseline' review. All subsystems of the project were subject to an in-depth review of their cost estimates and schedules by subject matter experts, the goal of which was to review the credibility and comprehensiveness of the baseline.


Nune Boyadjian Wheeler is GMTO's Project Business Manager. Nune was the manager of the baseline review process described in the previous article. Nune has been with GMTO for five years, and her role is to manage the team that develops the project schedule and cost. 


In May, Austin philanthropist David Booth of Dimensional Fund Advisors committed a $10 million gift to The University of Texas at Austin to help fund the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope.

In May, the National Science Board awarded Dr. Walter E. Massey, Chair of the GMTO Board of Directors, its prestigious Vannevar Bush Award. The award honors science and technology leaders who have made substantial contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science, technology, and public policy. Massey is being recognized for his truly exceptional lifelong leadership in science and technology.

In May, the LabMóvil ConCiencia Astronomy (Mobile Astronomy Lab) and Inflatable Planetarium were launched by the EcoScience Foundation, GMTO, and the Embassy of the United States in Chile, with a public party in front of the Presidential Palace La Moneda in Santiago, Chile.

This unique laboratory includes a state-of-the-art inflatable planetarium and a portable telescope, together with an innovative and inclusive educational program based on the best practices in science education. The eclipses of 2019 and 2020 in Chile will be the hallmark of this laboratory that will reach the most remote and underserved places in the country.
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