This exterior view of Mauna Kea highlights the Gemini North Observatory which is the largest dome near the center of the image. This image was taken shortly after a significant snowfall in early 1999 before skiers hit the slopes! The 360-degree panoramic image is made from 18 images stitched together using Apple QuickTimeVR technology. This image is part of a QuickTimeVR series that can be accessed on the www at: www.gemini.edu/public/movie.html. It is also part of the Gemini Virtual Tour CD.
This classic star trail image was obtained with a digital camera using the technique described in the March, 2004 Sky and Telescope magazine. Over 150 individual one-minute digital images were stacked in Photoshop to create this image. A first-quarter moon illuminated the surrounding landscape for the duration of the exposures.
Timelapse sequence showing daytime clouds and inversion layer with Mauna Kea from Mauna Loa. Transitions into nighttime (moonlit) view showing northern startrails.
Timelapse video from the observing floor of the Gemini North Telescope with stars and moonlight visible through observing slit. Milky Way rises in slit at moonset with sunrise shortly thereafter. Telescope motions are dramatic. High resolution time-lapse frames are available from Gemini Observatory (1920x1080).
Timelapse of Gemini South with southern circumpolar startrails (including the Southern Cross - Crux). Moon rises half-way through to provide full illumination of the dome.
NTSC QuickTime Movie (41.3 Mb)
This timelapse footage was obtained during coating of the Gemini South mirror in 2003. The process took 9 days and has been compressed into about four minutes in this video.
Timelapse of Gemini North at night. First half is lit by moonlight and second half is under dark sky. Stars (to about 6th magnitude) and Milky Way is visible throughout.