Postcard from the Summit – Page 13 – A Darker View

Warping

Warping — The warping fixture in use in the Keck 2 mirror cell

Please Remember to Return Tools

Please Return Tools — The Nasmyth Deck tool set in the Keck 2 dome

A Dusting of Snow

While most states have yet to see any snow this winter, Hawaiʻi is not one of them. A light dusting of snow graced the summit of Mauna Kea this morning.

Interestingly recent forecasts have revisited the possibility of a La Niña event forming in the central Pacific this fall. If this does come to pass Hawaiʻi may be looking at a wetter than usual winter with the potential of significant snowfall on Mauna Kea. While this can wreak havoc with observatory operations, it can also be quite pretty.

Mauna Kea Summit Snow — A light dusting of snow on the summit of Mauna Kea on the morning of October 18, 2016

Subaru in the Snow — A light dusting of snow on the summit of Mauna Kea on the morning of October 18, 2016

Securing the Segment

Securing the Segment — Justin Pitts securing a primary mirror segment in place during segment exchange

Cleaning a Mirror

Cleaning a Mirror — George Wall cleaning a segment prior to stripping and re-coating

Jacked

Jacked — A Keck primary mirror segment jacked up out of the array

A Touch of Winter

It is not snow in the image, but rather hail covering the ground and temporarily turning the summit white. A trough rich in moisture is passing the islands, leading to very active thunderstorms and even hail at the summit. We completed segex today, with thunder rumbling outside the dome. The hail melted off in a few hours, pretty while it lasted…

Hail at the Summit

SMA

SMA — The Submillimeter Array Telescope in a tight configuration

Keck at Dawn

Keck at Dawn — The rosy glow of dawn lights the domes of Keck Observatory

IRTF at Dawn

IRTF at Dawn — The NASA Infrared Telescope Facility with zodiacal light and the first light of dawn above