Behind the Lens: An Interview with Dr. Mike Liu
Feb 4, 2013
In anticipation of Keck Week’s Science Meeting, we spent some time with one of the presenters, Dr. Michael Liu to find out what it was like to be an astronomer.
Cosmic Matters Blog
Polynesian Paradox
Jan 9, 2013
The W.M. Observatory and Friends of Keck will commemorate the Keck Observatory’s 20th anniversary with Keck Week 2013 – a series of events beginning with a distinctive confluence of the brightest minds in astronomy alongside our country’s most significant scientific philanthropists. To kick-off the festivities will be a two-day feast of astronomy discourse and finely honed presentations describing Keck Observatory’s impact on astronomy by the astronomers who are making it happen.
Keck captures most detailed images of Uranus ever obtained from Earth
Oct 24, 2012
Using NIRC2 coupled with Adaptive Optics on Keck II, the W. M. Observatory was able to produce the most detailed image ever produced of Uranus. The images were made from 117 images (left) and 118 images (right).
Dim Gets Ridiculously Dimmer
May 10, 2012
Stars come in constellations, globular clusters, dwarf galaxies and galaxies, to name a few groups. Seems like pretty mundane stuff, until something strange pops up. And in astronomy, something strange pops up quite a lot. The latest is the discovery of a remarkably dim cluster of stars orbiting outside the Milky Way. The cluster, called Muñoz 1, puts out as much light as just 120 Sun-like stars.
Galaxies Juggling, Galaxies Square, Galaxies, Galaxies Everywhere
Apr 16, 2012
There are probably one or two hundred billion galaxies out there in the universe. So it’s not entirely surprising—though no less interesting—when some of those galaxies are spotted doing unusual tricks. Here are a couple of the latest galactic antics revealed by astronomers using the Keck Telescopes.
50 Years Building the Telescopes
Feb 14, 2012
It was 25 years ago that Hilton Lewis and Allan Honey started working on the Keck telescopes. They and some others are hitting the quarter century milestone and they have a lot to remember and celebrate.
How to Count to One
Jan 12, 2012
How many observatories are there on Mauna Kea? The honest answer is 12, or 13, eight or even one. Why so many answers? Because there is a lot more than math involved.
Keeping Keck Telescopes Shiny
Nov 10, 2011
They are two of the largest telescope mirrors on the planet and they only work if they are bright and shiny. Keeping them that way that at almost 14,000 feet above sea level, while also not disrupting nightly astronomical observations, involves an ongoing dance of men and machines.
Astronomical Myths & Facts
Oct 18, 2011
So you think you know something about those giant Keck telescopes up on Mauna Kea? Wanna bet? Test your O.I.Q. (that’s Observatory Intelligence Quotient) with this quick true-or-false pop quiz.
Interns Find Opportunities at Keck Observatory
Aug 12, 2011
The observatory interns of today are the professional engineers and scientists of tomorrow. Hear from three Keck summer interns about their projects, what they have learned and what Keck and other cutting edge high-tech organizations get from a summertime injection of young intellect
