Astronomy Talk with Keck Observatory (Virtual): Advances in Keck Instrumentation and Future Discovery

The W. M. Keck Observatory telescopes are among the most scientifically productive on Earth. The two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes on the summit of Maunakea on the Island of Hawaii feature a suite of advanced instruments including imagers, multi-object spectrographs, high-resolution spectrographs, integral-field spectrometers, and world-leading laser guide star adaptive optics systems. With support from the Science Steering Committee, Keck Instrument development teams are identifying new Adaptive Optics and ‘Seeing’ limited instrumentation for Keck, and these teams are developing early concept and basic system designs. In his talk Dr. Kassis will provide a status update on Keck’s existing suite of exotic instruments, bring you up to date on the Keck Planet Finder (KPF) and the Keck Cosmic Web Imager instruments, share new instrumentation in the pipeline and discuss what astronomers seek to discover with them. Last, he will present an optimistic future view of what the instrumentation sets on both the Keck I and the Keck II Telescopes could look like if everything was fully funded.

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Guest Speaker

Marc Kassis 
Instrument Program Manager

W. M. Keck Observatory

 

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.