Instrument: Keck Planet Finder (KPF) Telescope: Keck I Wavelength: visible light Instrument Scientist: Josh Walawender Principal Investigator: Andrew Howard, Caltech. Description: A high-resolution optical spectrometer designed to study exoplanets identified through the behavior of their host stars using the Doppler Technique – a method that can detect stars moving back and forth at a rate of only 30 centimeters per second. Unique Feature: Made from Zerodur, an unusual type of glass-ceramic hybrid material – the same material used to fabricate the primary mirror segments of the Keck Observatory telescopes. The thermal stability of Zerodur allows it to maintain its shape regardless of temperature fluctuations, thus preventing false signals that appear to be Doppler shifts from stars. Research Specialty: Used to study smaller, Earth-like planets orbiting nearby bright stars. KPF has the ability to characterize transiting planets from missions such as TESS, Kepler, and PLATO, measuring their masses and orbital properties. Notable Contributions: KPF is a powerful tool for the discovery and follow-up of exoplanets, and for providing insight into stellar behaviors with extreme precision in the Northern Hemisphere.
