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.

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National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory (NOIRLab)

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

History

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 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