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. 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 included the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), which managed Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo, and the Community Science and Data Center. AURA also managed Gemini Observatory as well as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, then under construction. On October 1, 2019, these three observatories merged operations to form NOIRLab. 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). 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 Astronomical observatories in the United States Astronomical observatories in Chile Astronomy institutes and departments Federally Funded Research and Development Centers Science and technology in the United States Astronomy in the United States Research in the United States National Science Foundation NOIRLab Scientific organizations established in 2019 2019 establishments in Arizona