FACTOID # 89: In the 1990's, nearly half of all arms exported to developing countries came from the United States of America.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

FACTS & STATISTICS    Simple view

  1. Select countries to view: (hold down Control key and click to select several)

     

     

    Compare:

     

     
  1. Select fact or statistic: (* = graphable)

     

     

     

  2. (OPTIONAL) Compare to statistic: (both need to be graphable)

     

     

     

  3. View result as:

     

       
(OR) SEARCH ALL encyclopedia, stats & forums:   

Encyclopedia > Keck telescopes

W. M. Keck Observatory
The summit of Mauna Kea is considered one of the most important astronomical viewing sites in the world. The twin Keck telescopes are the largest optical/near-infrared instruments.
Enlarge
The summit of Mauna Kea is considered one of the most important astronomical viewing sites in the world. The twin Keck telescopes are the largest optical/near-infrared instruments.
Organization California Association for Research in Astronomy
Location Mauna Kea, Hawai'i, USA
Wavelength regime optical, near infrared
Completion date Keck I 1993, Keck II 1996
Webpage http://www.keckobservatory.org/
Physical characteristics
Telescope style reflector
Diameter 10m each
Effective Angular Resolution 85m
Focal length 17.5 m (f/1.75)
Mounting alt/az
Dome spherical

The W. M. Keck Observatory is home to the two largest optical/near-infrared telescopes at the 4,145 meter (13,600 ft) summit of Mauna Kea in Hawai'i. At the heart of each 10-meter (400-inch) Keck telescope is a revolutionary primary mirror composed of 36 hexagonal segments that work together as a single piece of reflective glass. This work is copyrighted. ... This work is copyrighted. ... 50 cm refracting telescope at Nice Observatory. ... Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, one of five volcanic peaks that together form the Island of Hawaii. ... Official language(s) Hawaiian and English Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 43rd 28,337 km² n/a km 2,450 km 41. ...


Each Keck telescope sits on an altitude-azimuth design. Extensive computer analysis determined the greatest strength and stiffness for the least amount of steel--about 270 tons per telescope. On the telescope, each segment's figure is kept stable by a system of extremely rigid support structures and adjustable warping harnesses. During observing, a computer-controlled system of sensors and actuators adjusts the position of each segment, relative to its neighbors, to an accuracy of four nanometers. This twice-per-second adjustment effectively counters the tug of gravity.


Both Keck telescopes are equipped with adaptive optics, which compensates for the blurring due to atmospheric turbulence. In addition, the Keck I and Keck II telescopes can work together as the Keck Interferometer; the 85 m separation gives them the effective angular resolution in one direction of an 85 m mirror, comparable with the resolution of other astronomical interferometer arrays such as the VLTI (200 m separation). A deformable mirror can be used to correct wavefront errors in an astronomical telescope. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... An astronomical interferometer or hypertelescope is an array of telescopes or mirror segments acting together to probe structures on higher resolutions. ... The four telescopes of the European Southern Observatory Paranal site. ...


The W. M. Keck Observatory is managed by the California Association for Research in Astronomy, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization whose board of directors includes representatives from Caltech and the University of California. In 1996, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) joined as a partner in the Observatory. The telescopes sit on land leased from the University of Hawai'i System based in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Construction of the telescopes were made possible through private grants totaling more than $140 million provided by the W. M. Keck Foundation. Headquarters for the W. M. Keck Observatory are located in Kamuela, Hawaii. California Institute of Technology The California Institute of Technology (commonly known as Caltech) is a private, coeducational university located in Pasadena, California, in the United States. ... The University of California (UC) is a public university system in the state of California. ... NASA Logo Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from the revision dated 2005-09-01, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... Jean Charlots mural called Commencement is featured at Bachman Hall, the administrative center of the University of Hawai`i System. ... Nickname: Motto: Official website: Location Location of Honolulu within the City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii. ... The W. M. Keck Foundation is an American charitable foundation supporting scientific, engineering, and medical research in the United States. ... Kamuela, Hawaii is a town of Hawaii County on the Big Island in the state of Hawaii, United States. ...


External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Keck On The Desk (801 words)
Almost half of the observing runs on the Keck Telescopes are for one night or half a night.
And the builders of instruments such as spectrographs that are used in conjunction with the Keck Telescopes will have easy access for troubleshooting and monitoring the performance of their instruments.
The twin Keck Telescopes, each with a primary mirror 10 meters in diameter, are the largest optical and infrared telescopes in the world.
Keck telescopes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (357 words)
Both Keck telescopes are equipped with adaptive optics, which compensates for the blurring due to atmospheric turbulence.
In addition, the Keck I and Keck II telescopes can work together as the Keck Interferometer; the 85 m separation gives them the effective angular resolution in one direction of an 85 m mirror, comparable with the resolution of other astronomical interferometer arrays such as the VLTI (200 m separation).
The W. Keck Observatory is managed by the California Association for Research in Astronomy, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization whose board of directors includes representatives from Caltech and the University of California.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:
 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.