When you want to see the stars, find someplace dark
Segments!!
A Keck primary mirror segment jacked up out of the array
On November 24, 2015, Keck Observatory first observed the heavens above Maunakea, shooting Hawaii into the forefront of scientific research. Credit: W. M. Keck Observatory
Spare mirror segments in the mirror barn awaiting their turn in the primary mirror
The first refurbished Keck mirror segment after delivery to the summit
A Keck primary mirror segment awaits stripping and re-coating in the mirror shop
John Baldwin and Mike Aina guiding a freshly re-aluminized Keck primary mirror segment into place during segment exchange
Mike Aina guiding a primary mirror segment into place during segment exhange
Justin Pitts securing a primary mirror segment in place during segment exchange
George cleaning a Keck mirror segment in preparation for stripping and re-coating
A Keck mirror segment stripped and awaiting a fresh aluminum coating
The team moving a mirror segment from the telescope to the coating facility
The segment exchange team preparing to move a segment out of Keck 1 to the coating facility
The segment jack lifting a Keck primary mirror segment during segment exchange
the warping computer set up in the subcell
The old and new warping fixtures being tested side-by-side in on a spare segment
Speaking as a technophile: I thank you! This was a nice “hit”.