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The W.M. Keck Telescopes and Obsevaotry
The telescopes
The two main observatories on Mauna Kea are the Keck twins. The first was built in 1992 and the second in 1996. These are the best telescopes in the world due both to their technology and to the characteristics of the mountain they sit on. The Kecks are both 8 stories high. The main piece of each is a 10 meter in diameter mirror made by 36 individual hexagon shaped mirrors. These are the world’s largest optical and infrared telescopes. Image from www2.keck.hawaii.edu.
The advantages of being on Mauna Kea are numerous. The most notable is that that the mountain rises above the temperature inversion. This means that the Keck’s are out of the weather and can perform year round. Another important factor is that there is very little light pollution in the middle of the Pacific ocean. This adds to clarity of the images the Keck’s produce.
Images like this one are captured by the Keck Telescopes. The most recent major discovery was made on June 13th, 2005. The most Earth like rocky planet was discovered outside of our solar system. It's amazing power like this that makes the scientific community anxious for the proposed construction of a new 30 meter in diameter mirror telescope on Mauna Kea. Image from www2.keck.hawaii.edu.
THE VIEWS
A veiw above the clouds
The Keck Twins just before sunset
A view of another telescope
A beautiful sunset
Jake, Courtney, Leah, and Susan
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