Keck Observatory Donor Salon: Discovering Planets With the Keck Planet Finder

Guest Speaker:

Dr. Andrew Howard

Astronomy Professor, Division of Physics, Mathematics, & Astronomy

California Institute of Technology

Keck Observatory’s newest instrument is the Keck Planet Finder (KPF), a spectrometer that will allow for the discovery of smaller planets than ever before, including Earth-mass planets orbiting nearby stars.  KPF uses the latest technology to make ultra-precise planet detections.  It was installed at the Observatory recently and is currently undergoing on-sky testing.  Andrew Howard is the leader of the KPF project.  He will give a tour of the unique features of this instrument and offer a preview of the exciting planetary systems that it is likely to uncover.

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The staff and management of the W. M. Keck Observatory wish to offer our deepest gratitude to our Astronomy Talk Series sponsors, Rob and Terry Ryan.