From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Wed Sep 21 2005 - 14:29:28 UTC
>From: Laura Kraft <lkraft_at_keck.hawaii.edu>
>To: Laura Kraft <lkraft_at_keck.hawaii.edu>
>Subject: KECK: September News and Events
>Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 18:40:42 -1000
>
>W. M. Keck Observatory Newsletter
>September, 2005
>CONTENTS:
>* MEGA UPGRADE FOR MEGA OBSERVATORY
>* 'DEEP IMPACT' REPORT
>* NEW EXHIBITS AT KECK VISITOR GALLERIES
>* KECK HOSTS BLOOD BANK OF HAWAII
>* HAWAII TELESCOPES CATCH MOST DISTANT EXPLOSION
>* SOLAR SYSTEM'S THREE NEW OBJECTS
>* PLANETS IN SEPTEMBER
>* MOON PHASES
>* EVENTS
>* EMPLOYMENT
>* SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>MEGA UPGRADE FOR MEGA-OBSERVATORY
>The massive Keck I dome shutters, weighing more than 20 tons each, are
>relied on to protect the world's largest optical and infrared astronomical
>telescope from the harsh environment at the 14,000 foot summit of Mauna
>Kea.
>The shutters have been plagued with reliability and performance problems
>since their commissioning in the early 90's.
>
>Three long years of design, analysis and planning by top engineers and
>technicians at the W. M. Keck Observatory is about to result in the
>culmination of the largest project ever conducted at the facility since the
>completion of the Keck II telescope in 1996.
>
>At the heart of the upgrade is a state-of-the-art, electronically-coupled
>vector drive system which will allow extremely precise and efficient
>control
>of the giant shutter system.
>
>The $2 million dollar project required a major, precision-orchestrated
>process and the complete shutdown of the Keck I telescope for observing.
>The
>work schedule has been intense: Seven days a week, two shifts a day for
>five
>long weeks.
>
>In that time, approximately two miles of electrical wire, 10 tons of
>gearboxes, brakes, motors and other mechanical components and one half mile
>of high-strength steel wire rope has been removed and replaced with new,
>stronger and more robust components.
>
>The new Keck I shutter system will be re-commissioned at the end of
>September. The new, mightier Keck telescope will now offer the performance
>and reliability necessary to enable the next generation of breakthrough
>discoveries!
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>'DEEP IMPACT' REPORT
>
>When NASA's Deep Impact mission ploughed into comet Tempel 1 on July 4th of
>this year, a series of coordinated observations on Mauna Kea found striking
>similarities between two families of comets.
>
>Observations from Keck, Subaru and Gemini telescopes found Comet Tempel 1
>is
>a complex mix of ethane, silicates, carbon-based organic compounds and
>water. These materials are very similar to what is seen in a class of
>comets
>called the Oort Cloud, but before the Deep Impact mission, astronomers had
>wondered if returning comets such as Tempel 1 might have formed in a
>distinctly different nursery. The Deep Impact observations taken from Mauna
>Kea suggest that under the surface, comets may not be so different after
>all, and could have been born in the region of the solar system occupied by
>Uranus and Neptune today.
>
>"The amount of ethane in the cloud around the comet was significantly
>higher
>after impact than before," said Dr. Michael Mumma of NASA's Goddard Space
>Flight Center who used the Keck II telescope on Mauna Kea to study Comet
>Tempel 1. "The amount, however, is similar to the amount in the dominant
>group of comets that come from the Oort cloud region," said Mumma.
>
>More info: http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/news/science/050915.html
><http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/news/science/050915.html>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>NEW EXHIBITS AT KECK VISITOR GALLERIES
>
>A wall-mounted display has been installed in the 500-square-foot visitor
>lobby at Keck Observatory headquarters in Waimea and at the Viewing Gallery
>on the summit. The exhibits help visitors learn more about the Observatory,
>its discoveries and the staff. Each kiosk has nine topic areas to explore
>and was made possible through grants provided by the County of Hawaii
>Tourism Product Enrichment Program and the Hudson Foundation of Texas.
>
>A second exhibit is a new 15-minute video about the Keck Observatory. In
>the
>film, Observatory Director Fred Chaffee takes viewers inside the Keck I
>telescope and dome and three of the world's top astronomers explain how the
>Keck Telescopes have changed the world's understanding of the Universe.
>Copies of the video are available to educators and school districts upon
>request. Please contact the Public Information Office at (808) 881-3827 to
>request a copy.
>
>Each year, the W. M. Keck Observatory receives an estimated 1,200 visitors
>to its headquarters in Waimea. An additional 10,000 people visit the
>Viewing
>Gallery at Mauna Kea. Of these visitors, about 15 percent are under the age
>of 18. The W. M. Keck Observatory continues to explore new ways to provide
>compelling information and memorable experiences to these guests.
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>KECK HOSTS BLOOD BANK OF HAWAII
>
>More than half of us will need blood during our lives and maintaining a
>safe
>and adequate community blood supply is important to everyone. W. M. Keck
>Observatory hosted the Blood Bank of Hawaii on September 6th and more than
>110 people came to donate 95 pints of blood. In Hawaii, only 2 percent of
>the eligible population donates blood. One donation can help save three
>lives. The next Blood Drive will be at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on
>November 9th. Please call (808) 372-9966 for more information or to
>schedule
>an appointment.
>
>More info: http://www.bbh.org/default.htm <http://www.bbh.org/default.htm>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>HAWAII TELESCOPES CATCH MOST DISTANT EXPLOSION
>
>Astronomers have used telescopes at Mauna Kea and Haleakala to measure the
>distance to the farthest cosmic explosion ever seen, opening a new view
>into
>the frontiers of space.
>
>The explosion, known as a "gamma-ray burst," was first detected in space by
>NASA's Swift Gamma-Ray Burst satellite on the morning of September 4th.
>Then, telescopes around the world rushed to catch a glimpse of the fading
>explosion, including the Japanese Subaru telescope, the NASA Infrared
>Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea and the "MAGNUM" telescope on Maui's
>Haleakala.
>
>The explosion was measured to be at a distance of 12.8 billion light-years
>-- the most distant explosion astronomers have ever seen. There are less
>than fifty other known objects at such a great distance from Earth.
>
>More info: http://pr.caltech.edu/media/Press_Releases/PR12735.html
><http://pr.caltech.edu/media/Press_Releases/PR12735.html>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>SOLAR SYSTEM'S THREE NEW OBJECTS
>
>(Caltech) When planetary scientists announced on July 29 that they had
>discovered a new planet larger than Pluto, the news overshadowed the two
>other objects the group had also found. But all three objects are odd
>additions to the solar system, and as such could revolutionize our
>understanding of how our part of the celestial neighborhood evolved.
>
>To the discoverers, the objects still go by the unofficial code-names
>"Santa," "Easterbunny," and "Xena," though they are officially known to the
>International Astronomical Union as 2003 EL61, 2005 FY9, and 2003 UB313.
>Xena is the object the group describes as one of sufficient size to be
>called the tenth planet.
>
>"All three objects are nearly Pluto-sized or larger, and all are in
>elliptical orbits tilted out of the plane of the solar system," says Mike
>Brown, a professor of planetary astronomy at Caltech and leader of the
>effort. "We think that these orbital characteristics may mean that they
>were
>all formed closer to the sun, and then were tossed around by the giant
>planets before they ended up with the odd orbits they currently have,"
>Brown
>adds.
>
>More info: http://pr.caltech.edu/media/Press_Releases/PR12734.html
><http://pr.caltech.edu/media/Press_Releases/PR12734.html>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>PLANETS IN SEPTEMBER
>
>MERCURY
>Mercury is now too close to the sun's glare to get a good look. The window
>of opportunity to see this planet is usually quite brief.
>
>VENUS
>Venus made a remarkable celestial paring with the moon last month. This
>month, Jupiter joins Venus as the two brightest planets in the sky.
>
>MARS
>Mars is increasing in brightness and will reach its closest approach to
>Earth in October. Please ignore the e-mail about Mars being larger in size
>than normal - the author mixed up the concept of arcminutes and arcseconds
>and jumped to the wrong conclusions. However, Mars is still very wonderful
>to see, rising around 9:00 p.m.
>
>JUPITER
>Jupiter will get closer to the western horizon and set earlier and earlier
>all month. It is more difficult to see now because of the Sun's evening
>glow. Jupiter will soon become a morning object, reminding us of the
>changing seasons.
>
>SATURN
>Look for Saturn in the eastern sky before dawn. Mars should be high
>overhead
>at this time, toward the west.
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>MOON PHASES:
>First Quarter: September 11
>Full Moon: September 17
>Third Quarter: September 24
>New Moon: October 3
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>EVENTS:
>
>October 1st: THE UNIVERSE TONIGHT 6:00 p.m.
>Onizuka Visitor Information Station At Mauna Kea
>The monthly presentation of the popular "The Universe Tonight" program is
>held the first Saturday of every month at the Onizuka Center for
>International Astronomy. The presentation begins at 6:00 PM and is followed
>by the regular evening stargazing program. Each month a special speaker
>from
>a different Mauna Kea observatory will share recent observations and
>discoveries with the general public.
>
>October 6th: KECK ASTRONOMY LECTURE 7:00 p.m.
>W. M. Keck Observatory Headquarters, Waimea
>Dr. Chuck Steidel of Caltech will discuss, "Violence in the Young
>Universe."
>a time in our Universe marked with supernova explosions, intensely bright
>quasars and vigorous star formation in young galaxies. Dr. Steidel will
>share how this period of time in our Universe is responsible for shaping
>much of what we see in the present day. Free and Open to the public,
>seating
>is limited. (808) 885-7887.
>
>October 11th: WEST HAWAII ASTRONOMY CLUB 7:00 p.m.
>W. M. Keck Observatory Headquarters
>The West Hawaii Astronomy Club is a non-affiliated group of interested
>astronomy geeks (ok, some of us are not so geeky) who meet regularly to
>socialize and discuss the wonders of the cosmos. Meetings are held on the
>second Tuesday of each month for observing sessions, clinics and to
>generally promote the astronomy hobby in North and West Hawaii.
>Even-numbered months we meet at Keck Headquarters and Odd-numbered months
>we
>meet at CFHT Headquarters, both are in Waimea.
>
>October 15: MALALO I KA LANI PO 6:00 p.m.
>Onizuka Visitor Information Station At Mauna Kea
>The monthly presentation of the popular "Malalo I Ka Lani Po" program is
>held the third Saturday of every month at the Onizuka Center for
>International Astronomy. The presentation begins at 6:00 PM and is followed
>by the regular evening stargazing program. Each month a special speaker
>from
>the community will speak on a cultural aspect of Mauna Kea.
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
>Please contact Barbara Bower at bbower_at_keck.hawaii.edu or 808-885-7887 if
>you are interested in these positions:
>
>STUDENT ASSISTANT
>The Observatory has two openings in the Student Employment Program located
>at Keck Headquarters in Waimea. The Observatory is looking for two high
>school students in good standing available to work in the Public Relations
>and Accounting Departments Monday to Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
>Candidates must be able to pass two drug tests - one at the time of hire
>and
>a random test within four months after hire date.
>
>MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN
>This is a temporary position hired through an employment agency. The
>Observatory is seeking a Mechanical Technician to perform a variety of
>mechanical tasks, such as welding, fabricating and machining at its
>facilities on the summit of Mauna Kea. Minimum qualifications include three
>years experience in welding and fabrication, capability to operate common
>maintenance shop tools and equipment and an ability to work at high
>altitude. Employment is conditional on successful completion of a drug
>test.
>
>
>AIRCRAFT SPOTTERS
>The W. M. Keck Observatory has openings for several aircraft spotters to
>support the laser instrument runs on the Keck Telescopes. Spotters work 2-4
>nights a month. The work is at the summit of Mauna Kea (14,000 feet). The
>hours are approximately from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. each night. The main
>task involves being positioned outside the two Keck domes for an hour at a
>time scanning for aircraft. CARA provides transportation to the summit,
>warm
>clothing and meals as appropriate. The spotters are employed as temporary
>personnel through an employment agency and are paid $10/hour. Candidates
>must be able to pass a drug test and eye exam and the successful candidates
>must be able to work at high altitude. Candidates must be at least 18 years
>of age.
>
>ADAPTIVE OPTICS RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (Postdoctoral Position)
>This is a temporary position up to two years in duration. The successful
>candidate will be involved in the analysis, optimization and development of
>the Keck II and Palomar LGS AO systems; understanding the limitations of
>current LGS AO systems and partake in the development of next generation
>systems; participate in education and outreach programs sponsored by the
>Center for Adaptive Optics. It is anticipated that the candidate will spend
>about 5 weeks a year at Caltech and Mount Palomar. The requirements for
>this
>position include: A PhD level degree in engineering, optics, astronomy or
>physics or equivalent experience. Prior adaptive optics system development
>experience is highly desirable.
>
>SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER
>The Observatory seeks a Senior Software Engineer to support development and
>maintenance of software that advances the leading edge capabilities of the
>observatory and improves its operational efficiency. Work with a high
>talent
>team to develop the architectural and technology strategy to advance the
>observatory software infrastructure used by software engineers, support
>astronomers, instrument developers and others. Minimum qualifications are a
>B.S. Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent;
>knowledge of and experience with modern software engineering practices; 8
>plus years experience in developing software for engineering or scientific
>applications, including 3 plus years with architectural responsibilities in
>distributed real-time software, C++ programming and Unix experience.
>Experience developing web enabled data base applications is highly
>desirable. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION
>If you would like to be added or removed from this newsletter, please reply
>to this message or send an e-mail to "newsletter_at_keck.hawaii.edu."
>
>Help us serve you better! Please include your zip code.
>
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