General Info

NOAO is a research and development center for ground-based nighttime astronomy in the United States and is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). The center is enabling the development of the U.S. optical-infrared system. Its data is useful for scientific research, education and public outreach purposes. NOAO is engaged in the development of telescopes, instruments and software tools for the exploration and investigation of different planets, stars and galaxies in the universe. The center offers an education and public outreach program for teachers, students and amateur astronomers. It operates the NOAO Gemini Science Center. NOAO also develops various activities to teach the concepts of adaptive optics to high school students.