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The W. M. Keck Observatory is located in Chile, South America.
Answer: False
The W. M. Keck Observatory is situated on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, United States, not in Chile.
Mauna Kea is considered a significant astronomical viewing site due to its low altitude and proximity to major cities.
Answer: False
Mauna Kea is a premier astronomical site due to its high altitude, dry atmosphere, and stable weather, not its low altitude or proximity to cities.
Where is the W. M. Keck Observatory primarily located?
Answer: Mauna Kea, Hawaii, United States
The W. M. Keck Observatory is situated on the summit of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii, United States.
Why is Mauna Kea considered one of the world's most important astronomical viewing sites?
Answer: Its high altitude, dry atmosphere, and stable weather offer exceptionally clear skies.
Mauna Kea's status as a premier astronomical site is attributed to its high altitude, arid climate, and meteorological stability, which collectively provide exceptionally clear and dark observing conditions.
Upon their completion, the Keck telescopes were the largest optical reflecting telescopes ever built, a title they still hold today.
Answer: False
While the Keck telescopes were the largest optical reflecting telescopes upon their completion in 1993 and 1996, they no longer hold this title.
The construction of the Keck I telescope was primarily funded by a $70 million grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation.
Answer: True
The construction of the Keck I telescope was significantly supported by a substantial grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation.
Keck I achieved first light in May 1993 and began full science operations shortly thereafter.
Answer: False
Keck I achieved first light on November 24, 1990, and commenced full science operations in May 1993.
The W. M. Keck Observatory is managed by a non-profit organization called CARA, representing Caltech and the University of California.
Answer: True
The W. M. Keck Observatory is managed by the California Association for Research in Astronomy (CARA), a non-profit organization representing Caltech and the University of California.
NASA joined the W. M. Keck Observatory partnership in 1993, coinciding with the completion of the Keck I telescope.
Answer: False
NASA joined the W. M. Keck Observatory partnership in October 1996, coinciding with the commencement of observations by the Keck II telescope.
Telescope time at Keck is allocated exclusively by proposals submitted directly to CARA.
Answer: False
Telescope time at Keck is allocated based on proposals submitted by researchers from the partner institutions (Caltech, University of California, University of Hawaii) and by NASA for U.S. researchers.
The Keck I and Keck II telescopes were the largest optical reflecting telescopes in the world when they were completed in: 1993 and 1996 respectively.
Answer: True
Upon their completion in 1993 (Keck I) and 1996 (Keck II), the W. M. Keck Observatory's telescopes held the distinction of being the world's largest optical reflecting telescopes.
What was the principal source of funding for the construction of the Keck I telescope?
Answer: The W. M. Keck Foundation
The construction of the Keck I telescope was primarily funded by a significant grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation.
When did the Keck I telescope achieve its first light?
Answer: November 24, 1990
The Keck I telescope achieved its first light on November 24, 1990.
Who manages the W. M. Keck Observatory?
Answer: The California Association for Research in Astronomy (CARA)
The W. M. Keck Observatory is managed by the California Association for Research in Astronomy (CARA), a non-profit organization representing Caltech and the University of California.
When did NASA join the partnership for the W. M. Keck Observatory?
Answer: 1996
NASA became a partner in the W. M. Keck Observatory in October 1996.
How is telescope time allocated among the partner institutions at the W. M. Keck Observatory?
Answer: It is allocated based on proposals submitted by researchers from Caltech, UC, and UH, and by NASA for US researchers.
Telescope time is allocated through a proposal process managed by the partner institutions (Caltech, University of California, University of Hawaii) and NASA for U.S. researchers.
Keck I and Keck II are optical reflecting telescopes with 10-meter aperture primary mirrors.
Answer: True
The Keck I and Keck II telescopes are indeed optical reflecting telescopes, each featuring primary mirrors with a 10-meter aperture.
The technological concept of using multiple smaller mirror segments to act as a single large mirror was primarily developed by NASA engineers.
Answer: False
The concept of using multiple smaller mirror segments to form a single large mirror for telescopes like Keck was primarily developed by Jerry Nelson and Terry Mast, not NASA engineers.
The Keck telescopes utilize monolithic primary mirrors, each cast from a single piece of glass.
Answer: False
The Keck telescopes employ segmented primary mirrors, composed of multiple individual segments, rather than monolithic mirrors.
Each primary mirror segment of the Keck telescopes is approximately 1.8 meters wide and weighs about half a ton.
Answer: True
Each hexagonal segment of the Keck telescopes' primary mirrors measures approximately 1.8 meters in width and weighs around half a ton.
The mirror segments were manufactured by Schott AG in Germany using a specialized glass-ceramic material.
Answer: False
The mirror segments were fabricated using Zerodur, a glass-ceramic material supplied by the German company Schott AG, but they were manufactured by Itek Optical Systems in Massachusetts.
Keck telescopes are mounted on equatorial mounts to simplify tracking celestial objects across the sky.
Answer: False
The Keck telescopes are mounted on altazimuth mounts, which offer structural advantages for large telescopes compared to equatorial mounts.
The total weight of each Keck telescope structure, including its mounting, is approximately 270 tons.
Answer: False
The total weight of each Keck telescope structure, including its mounting, exceeds 300 tons, with the altazimuth mount alone weighing approximately 270 tons.
Jerry Nelson's key contribution was designing the altazimuth mount used by the Keck telescopes.
Answer: False
Jerry Nelson's key contribution was the concept of a segmented primary mirror, not the design of the altazimuth mount.
The primary mirrors of the Keck telescopes are made from Zerodur, a type of glass-ceramic.
Answer: True
The primary mirrors of the Keck telescopes are constructed from Zerodur, a specialized glass-ceramic material known for its low thermal expansion properties.
The altazimuth mount was chosen for Keck telescopes because it is structurally simpler and lighter than an equatorial mount for large telescopes.
Answer: True
The altazimuth mount was selected for the Keck telescopes due to its inherent structural advantages, offering greater stiffness and reduced material requirements compared to equatorial mounts for large telescope structures.
What is the aperture diameter of the primary mirrors for each Keck telescope?
Answer: 10 meters
Each of the Keck telescopes features a primary mirror with an aperture diameter of 10 meters (approximately 32.8 feet).
Which technological advancement was crucial for enabling the construction of the large, segmented mirrors used in the Keck telescopes?
Answer: Active Optics
Active optics technology was crucial for the successful construction and operation of the Keck telescopes' large, segmented mirrors, allowing them to function as a single, precise optical surface.
Why are segmented mirrors preferred over a single monolithic mirror for telescopes like Keck?
Answer: A single monolithic mirror of that size would be too heavy and prone to sagging.
For mirrors of the scale required by the Keck telescopes, a single monolithic structure presents significant challenges: it would be excessively heavy and prone to gravitational deformation (sagging), which would distort its optical shape. The use of precisely controlled segmented mirrors effectively mitigates these issues.
Who were the primary individuals credited with developing the technological concepts for the Keck telescopes' segmented mirrors?
Answer: Jerry Nelson and Terry Mast
The foundational concepts for the Keck telescopes' segmented mirror design are primarily credited to Jerry Nelson and Terry Mast.
How many hexagonal segments make up each primary mirror of the Keck telescopes?
Answer: 36
Each primary mirror of the Keck telescopes is composed of 36 hexagonal segments.
What material was used for the Keck telescope's mirror segments, and which company supplied it?
Answer: Zerodur, supplied by Schott AG (Germany)
The mirror segments for the Keck telescopes were made from Zerodur, a glass-ceramic material supplied by the German company Schott AG.
Which type of mount is used for the Keck telescopes, and what is its advantage?
Answer: Altazimuth mount; reduced structural requirements and greater stiffness.
The Keck telescopes utilize altazimuth mounts, which provide greater structural strength and stiffness with fewer material requirements compared to equatorial mounts, especially for large telescope structures.
What significant innovation is Jerry Nelson most associated with regarding the Keck telescopes?
Answer: The concept of a segmented primary mirror acting as a single surface.
Jerry Nelson is most prominently associated with the innovative concept of a segmented primary mirror, which allows multiple smaller mirror segments to function cohesively as a single large optical surface.
What does the image caption 'The Keck II telescope showing the segmented primary mirror' illustrate?
Answer: The construction of the primary mirror from multiple segments.
This image caption highlights the segmented nature of the Keck II telescope's primary mirror, illustrating its construction from numerous individual segments.
The active optics system uses computer-controlled actuators to adjust each mirror segment, maintaining a surface accuracy of about four nanometers.
Answer: True
The active optics system employs computer-controlled actuators to precisely adjust each mirror segment, ensuring a surface accuracy of approximately four nanometers.
Laser guide star adaptive optics were implemented on the Keck telescopes to correct for distortions caused by the Earth's atmosphere.
Answer: True
Laser guide star adaptive optics systems have been implemented on the Keck telescopes to effectively correct for the blurring effects caused by atmospheric turbulence.
What is the main purpose of the laser guide star adaptive optics system at Keck Observatory?
Answer: To compensate for the blurring effects of atmospheric turbulence.
The primary purpose of the laser guide star adaptive optics system at the Keck Observatory is to counteract the distorting effects of Earth's atmosphere, thereby improving image sharpness and resolution.
MOSFIRE is an instrument designed for high-resolution imaging in the visible light spectrum.
Answer: False
MOSFIRE (Multi-Object Spectrometer for Infra-Red Exploration) is designed for near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging, not visible light.
DEIMOS can capture spectra from over 1,200 objects simultaneously in its 'Mega Mask' mode.
Answer: True
The DEIMOS instrument is capable of capturing spectra from over 1,200 objects simultaneously, particularly when utilizing its 'Mega Mask' mode.
The HIRES instrument has provided evidence supporting the Big Bang theory and can detect exoplanets.
Answer: True
The High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) has been instrumental in discoveries such as the detection of exoplanets and providing evidence supporting the Big Bang theory.
The Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) primarily operates in the far-infrared spectrum.
Answer: False
The Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) operates in the visible and near-ultraviolet spectrum, not the far-infrared.
LRIS is a faint-light instrument used for imaging and taking spectra of distant objects, equipped with both red and blue arms.
Answer: True
The Low Resolution Imaging Spectrograph (LRIS) is a versatile instrument designed for faint-light observations, capable of both imaging and spectroscopy across red and blue wavelengths, making it suitable for studying distant objects.
NIRC-2 works independently of the Keck Adaptive Optics system to produce high-resolution images.
Answer: False
NIRC-2 (Near Infrared Camera 2) works in conjunction with the Keck Adaptive Optics system to achieve high-resolution images in the near-infrared spectrum.
NIRES covers a wavelength range from approximately 3 to 10 microns.
Answer: False
The Near-Infrared Echellette Spectrometer (NIRES) covers a wavelength range from approximately 0.94 to 2.45 microns.
NIRSPEC is primarily used for studying objects within our own solar system, such as asteroids and comets.
Answer: False
While NIRSPEC can study Solar System objects, its primary use extends to a wide range of astronomical phenomena, including high redshift galaxies, brown dwarfs, and the Galactic Center.
The OSIRIS instrument is designed to filter out strong OH molecule emissions from Earth's atmosphere, aiding the detection of faint objects.
Answer: True
OSIRIS (OH-Suppressing Infrared Imaging Spectrograph) is specifically designed to filter out atmospheric OH emissions in the near-infrared, thereby enhancing the detection of faint celestial objects.
The Echellette Spectrograph and Imager (ESI) is primarily an infrared instrument.
Answer: False
The Echellette Spectrograph and Imager (ESI) is primarily an optical instrument, designed for spectroscopy and imaging in visible wavelengths.
The Keck Planet Finder (KPF) is an older instrument, first activated in the early 2000s, used for imaging.
Answer: False
The Keck Planet Finder (KPF) is a relatively new instrument, achieving first light in 2022, and is designed for high-resolution spectroscopy for exoplanet detection, not imaging.
The Keck Interferometer, which combined light from both telescopes, was discontinued due to technical difficulties in aligning the beams.
Answer: False
The Keck Interferometer was discontinued primarily due to a lack of funding, not insurmountable technical difficulties in beam alignment.
Which instrument is a multi-object spectrograph and wide-field camera for the near-infrared spectrum, featuring a remotely reconfigurable cryogenic slit unit?
Answer: MOSFIRE
MOSFIRE (Multi-Object Spectrometer for Infra-Red Exploration) fits this description, functioning as a near-infrared spectrograph and camera with a unique cryogenic slit unit.
The DEIMOS instrument is capable of performing which of the following?
Answer: Gathering spectra from numerous celestial objects simultaneously.
DEIMOS (Deep Extragalactic Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph) is designed for multi-object spectroscopy, enabling the simultaneous collection of spectra from a large number of celestial targets.
Which instrument has been credited with facilitating discoveries such as exoplanets and providing evidence for the Big Bang theory?
Answer: HIRES
The High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) has been crucial in enabling significant astronomical discoveries, including the detection of exoplanets and the substantiation of the Big Bang theory through gathered evidence.
What is the primary function of the OSIRIS instrument?
Answer: To detect faint objects by filtering out atmospheric OH emissions in the near-infrared.
OSIRIS (OH-Suppressing Infrared Imaging Spectrograph) is designed to suppress the strong infrared emissions from atmospheric OH molecules, thereby facilitating the detection of faint celestial objects.
Which of the following instruments was part of the Keck Interferometer project?
Answer: Keck Interferometer
The Keck Interferometer itself was a project that combined light from both Keck telescopes, distinct from other individual instruments like MOSFIRE or KPF.
Which instrument is the newest at Keck Observatory, achieving first light in 2022 and designed for exoplanet detection using radial velocity?
Answer: KPF
The Keck Planet Finder (KPF), which achieved first light in 2022, is the newest instrument and is specifically designed for exoplanet detection via the radial velocity method.
What is the Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) and what are its capabilities?
Answer: An integral field spectrograph operating initially in the 350-560 nm range.
The Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) is an integral field spectrograph designed to capture spectra across a field of view, initially operating in the 350-560 nm range.
The LRIS instrument is described as being useful for studying which types of celestial objects?
Answer: Distant galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and quasars.
LRIS (Low Resolution Imaging Spectrograph) is employed for the study of faint and distant objects, including galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and quasars.
What was the Keck Interferometer, and why was it discontinued?
Answer: A system combining light from both Keck telescopes for high angular resolution; discontinued due to lack of funding.
The Keck Interferometer was a project that combined light from both Keck telescopes to achieve high angular resolution in the near-infrared. It was discontinued primarily due to funding limitations.
Which instrument is described as a high-resolution spectrograph designed for optical wavelengths, also possessing imaging functions?
Answer: ESI
The Echellette Spectrograph and Imager (ESI) is characterized as a high-resolution spectrograph for optical wavelengths that also includes imaging capabilities.