Annual Report 2011

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Annual Report 2011 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 ON THE COVER: HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: FY2011 Ace summit operations team Kamuela, Hawai’i, USA Number of Full Time members, from left: Arnold Employees: 115 Matsuda, John Baldwin and MANAGEMENT: Mike Dahler, focus their California Association for Number of Observing attention to removing a Research in Astronomy Astronomers FY2011: 464 single segment from the PARTNER INSTITUTIONS: Number of Keck Science Keck Telescope primary California Institute of Investigations: 400 mirror in the first major step Technology (CIT/Caltech), in the segment recoating Number of Refereed Articles process. University of California (UC), FY2011: 278 National Aeronautics and Fiscal Year begins October 1 BELOW: Space Administration (NASA) The newly commissioned Federal Identification Keck I Laser penetrates the OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR: Number: 95-3972799 night sky from the majestic Taft E. Armandroff landscape of Mauna Kea. DEPUTY DIRECTOR: The laser is part of Keck’s Hilton A. Lewis world leading adaptive optics systems, a technology used to remove the effects of turbulence in Earth’s atmosphere and provides unprecedented image clarity of cosmic targets near and distant. VISION A world in which all humankind is inspired and united by the pursuit of knowledge of the infinite CONTENTS variety and richness of the Universe. Director’s Report . 3 Cosmic Visionaries . 6 Science Highlights . 8 MISSION Finances . 16 To advance the frontiers of astronomy and share Philanthropic Support . .18 our discoveries, inspiring the imagination of all. Reflections . .20 Education & Outreach . .22 Observatory Groundbreaking: 1985 Honors & Recognition . .26 First light Keck I telescope: 1992 Science Bibliography . 28 First light Keck II telescope: 1996 DIRECTOR’s REPORT Taft E. Armandroff It is a pleasure to welcome you to the W. M. Keck Observatory Annual Report for 2011. Keck Observatory (WMKO) operates twin 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes nightly on the excellent site of Mauna Kea, renowned for its extremely dark skies and superb image quality. The two telescopes feature a highly capable suite of advanced instrumentation. For the past 19 years, Keck Observatory has played a leading role in astronomy and astrophysics worldwide. Four objective metrics demonstrate Keck Observatory’s scientific success: 1) In independent studies of observatory scientific productivity, we consistently rank highest in the number of papers per telescope per year of ground-based observatories. For example in fiscal year 2011, the two Keck telescopes produced 278 papers, or 139 papers per telescope. This dramatically exceeds all other U.S. facilities and also exceeds all other observatories worldwide. 2) In independent studies, we generate the highest total impact per telescope of ground-based observatories, taking into account not only the number of publications but also how often each publication is cited in subsequent research. 3) WMKO dominates the emerging field of laser guide star adaptive optics (LGS AO) science. Three-quarters of all LGS AO papers worldwide from 2004 through 2011 are based on Keck data. 4) The large impact of the Keck telescopes on astronomy education is well illustrated by the 240 PhD theses produced using our data from 1994 to 2011. A key component of our organization’s success has been the highly effective partnership between private and federal institutions that provide financial support, as well as the robust scientific collaboration between Keck Observatory and our partner universities (Caltech, the University of California, and the University of Hawaii) and the community of observers that participate through NASA and the National Science Foundation. The theme for this year’s Annual Report is “The Year of the Supernovae.” The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt, and Adam Riess for their pioneering studies of supernovae at cosmological distances that demonstrated that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. Keck Observatory played an essential role in this transformative research. A Nobel Prize recognizing research in astronomy and astrophysics is a very rare This graph reflects the science productivity of Laser Guide honor. In addition, the closest Type Ia supernova in forty Star Adaptive Optics (LGS AO) and the dominance of Keck years exploded in 2011 and was studied using the Keck II Observatory in this breakthrough field of astronomy research. Telescope and our powerful adaptive optics system. Armed Three quarters of all LGS AO papers worldwide from 2004 through 2011 are based on Keck data. with this unique Keck dataset, astronomers have constrained theories for the physical mechanism that produces these cosmic lighthouses, so vital to probing the distant universe. Inside this report, we will reveal more about supernovae, the tools we use at Keck Observatory to probe them, and the driving spirit of our professional staff that makes this Here Dr. Brian Schmidt delivers his Nobel lecture in Stockholm, exciting research possible. Sweden in late 2011. Schmidt, along with Saul Perlmutter and Adam Riess, was honored with the 2011 Nobel Prize in Keck Observatory made strong progress on technical Physics for describing the accelerating expansion rate of the universe. Their pioneering research was based fundamentally achievements in 2011, particularly regarding two of our on observations made with the Keck Observatory. multi-year projects to develop new observing capabilities. The Multi Object Spectrograph for Infrared Exploration (MOSFIRE) and the next generation Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics (LGS AO) system for the Keck I telescope neared full functionality. Both MOSFIRE and the new LGS AO system are scheduled for scientific use by the summer of 2012. Our observer community relishes the opportunity to apply these new tools to address major open questions in astronomy today. There remains much important astronomy research to be done. Our Scientific Strategic Plan and a recent national decadal assessment of research priorities have highlighted T 2011 the following key questions to be addressed in the coming R decade, using both existing and planned instrumentation: L REPO • How diverse are planetary systems? A • Do habitable worlds exist around other stars and can we ANNU identify the telltale signs of life on an exoplanet? • What were the first objects to light up the universe and when did they do it? bservatory O • How do black holes grow, radiate and influence their ECK surroundings? W.M. K W.M. • What is the fossil record of galaxy assembly and evolution from the first stars to the present? 4 • How does normal matter cycle in and out of galaxies and what does it do while it is there? It is our intention to sustain Keck Observatory as one of the crown jewels of U.S. astronomy for the next ten years and well beyond. I strongly believe that we will maintain the Keck Observatory’s leadership in developing and deploying new instrumentation and adaptive optics systems to address new scientific challenges and to remain important discovery tools for the U.S. astronomy community. However, there is a shortage of funding to develop new instrumentation and AO systems. I am grateful for our philanthropic individuals and foundations, and federal agencies, for their support in initiatives that are on the leading edge and that meaningfully advance the priority research questions in astronomy today. In closing, astronomy is tremendously rich with opportunities for discoveries which bring a deeper understanding of the mechanisms, history and future of the universe. I, the Keck Observatory staff, our Board of Directors, and our Science Steering Committee remain steadfast in our commitment to develop and operate the best The community of Observatories on Mauna Kea, taken from tools on Earth to study the cosmos. Pu’u Poliahu. Mauna Kea, renowned for its extremely dark skies and dry and stable conditions, is considered the best site on Earth for viewing the faintest and most distant objects in the universe. Keck Observatory staff, comprised of capable and committed scientists, engineers, technicians, and administrators, captured together in this photograph for the Annual Report taken at Waimea headquarters. T 2011 R L REPO A ANNU bservatory O ECK W.M. K W.M. 5 COSMIC VVISIONISIONARIES T 2011 R L REPO A ANNU bservatory O ECK W.M. K W.M. 6 W. M. Keck Observatory Board of Directors George Blumenthal, Chair Edward Stolper, Vice-Chair Michael Bolte Theodore J. Keck, liaison Shrinivas Kulkarni Mario Perez, liaison Thomas Soifer Peter Taylor Keck Observatory Advancement Advisory Council Sanford Robertson, Chair, and Jeanne Robertson Clive Davies, Vice-Chair, and Carol Davies Taft Armandroff, ex-officio Marc and Lynne Benioff Michael Bolte, ex-officio C. Wallace and Bobbie Jean Hooser Gary and Pam Jaffe Shrinivas Kulkarni, ex-officio Arthur and Rita Levinson Gordon Moore John Cutler and Anne Barasch Ryan Rob and Terry Ryan Doug and Deborah Troxel Keck Observatory Science Steering Committee Christopher Martin, Co-Chair Jason X. Prochaska, Co-Chair Charles Beichman Michael Bolte, ex-officio Judith Cohen Dale Cruikshank Richard Ellis Andrea Ghez Shrinivas Kulkarni, ex-officio Michael Liu Geoffrey Marcy Michael Murphy, non-voting member T 2011 R Jerry Nelson, ex-officio Pieter van Dokkum, non-voting member L REPO A The governing Board of Keck Observatory consists of ANNU representatives from our founding partners, the University of California and the California Institute of Technology. In addition, NASA and the Keck Foundation each have liaisons to the Board. The Board and the Keck Observatory Director are bservatory advised by a Science Steering Committee, consisting of leading O astronomers from our partner communities. Our Advancement ECK program receives counsel from a volunteer leadership council whose members are committed supporters with considerable K W.M. philanthropic expertise. 7 SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS 2011 The science of Keck Observatory spanned the cosmos yet again in 2011. From cold, dim nearby stars to baby exoplanets to vast pools of gas untouched since the Big Bang, the Keck Telescopes remain one of humanity’s foremost vehicles for venturing into the unknown frontiers of space.
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