NOIRLab

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National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab)

NOIRLab logo[1]
Motto	Discovering Our Universe Together
Established	2019
Field of research	Astronomy
Director	Patrick McCarthy
Deputy Director	Beth Willman
Location	Tucson, Arizona, USA
Sponsoring agency	National Science Foundation
Operating agency	Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy
Website	noirlab.edu

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

History[]

Before the start of the NOIRLab the NSF-sponsored optical-infrared ground-based astronomical facilities were managed by AURA, but were structured as separate organizations. These were the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), which managed Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo and the Community Science and Data Center (CSDC). AURA managed Gemini Observatory as well as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, then under construction.^[2]

Organization[]

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).^[3]

Programs[]

NOIRLab operates the following programs:

• Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory
• Community Science & Data Center
• Gemini Observatory
• Kitt Peak National Observatory
• Vera C. Rubin Observatory

References[]