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2012 Annual Report

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2012 Annual Report 2012 Annual Report FY2012 432 Observing Astronomers 407 Keck Science Investigations 328 Refereed Articles 108 Full-time Employees Fiscal Year begins October 1 Federal Identification Number: 95-3972799 2012 Annual Report HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Kamuela, Hawai’i, USA MANAGEMENT: California Association for Table of Research in Astronomy Contents 8-9 PARTNER INSTITUTIONS: California Institute of Technology (CIT/Caltech), University of California (UC), Director’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Report OBSERVATORY DIRECTOR: Taft E. Armandroff DEPUTY DIRECTOR: Hilton A. Lewis Observatory Groundbreaking: 1985 First light Keck I telescope: 1992 First light Keck II telescope: 1996 vision A world in which all humankind is inspired and united by the pursuit of knowledge of the infinite variety and richness of the Universe. mission To advance the frontiers of astronomy and share our discoveries, inspiring the imagination of all. Cover Image: Color composite image of the Antennae Galaxy obtained by MOSFIRE in May 2012 in which the two infrared bands, J and K, are color- coded blue and red to give an impression of what infrared eyes would see. The reddish blobs are actually large star-forming clusters, which are hidden from sight in normal visible light images. Previous Spread: Keck II gleams in the sun, while the operations crew inside expertly prepares for another night of science. 11 13-17 19-27 28-33 35-37 39-47 Cosmic Astro Science Funding Education Science Visionaries Moxie Highlights & Outreach Bibliography EDITOR/WRITER Debbie Goodwin ADDITIONAL WRITERS Taft Armandroff Robert Goodrich Steve Jefferson Thatcher Moats CONTRIBUTORS AND SUPPort Joan Campbell Peggi Kamisato Hilton Lewis Jeff Mader Margarita Scheffel Gerald Smith Bob Steele GRAPHIC DESIGN Waimea Instant Printing PRINTING Service Printers Hawaii, Inc. PHOTO CREDITS (t = top, b = bottom, l = left, m = middle, r = right) Joan Campbell/WMKO: 36t Mark Devenot/WMKO: 11, 30b Debbie Goodwin/WMKO: 37t Andrew Hara: 38 Steve Jefferson/WMKO: 31 Ron Laub/WMKO: 28 Ric Noyle: Back cover background Maureen Salmi: 36b Mariko Thorbecke/WMKO: 37b MOSFIRE: Cover Ethan Tweedie: 2-3, 6, 8, 9 tr, 10, 12, 16, 17, 18, 33, 34, Back cover W. M. Keck Foundation: 29 WMKO: 14, 15 Director’s Report Taft E. Armandroff 8 To best fulfill Keck Observatory’s quest to understand the cosmos, our tools and technology are critical. On behalf of the entire W. M. Keck A multiyear, multimillion dollar initiative, Observatory team, I am very pleased to MOSFIRE was delivered, installed and introduce you to our 2012 Annual Report. commissioned for routine operations in 2012. From detailed images of Neptune in our It is absolutely unique among the world’s own Solar System to finding the most observatories, and more than 50 nights distant galaxy known to humankind, Keck were devoted to MOSFIRE observations in Observatory made stunning discoveries over its inaugural year of operation. MOSFIRE’s the past year and actively advanced our unparalleled ability to obtain large samples understanding of the Universe. of infrared spectra of faint sources is already yielding spectacular scientific In this report, you will read about these results. discoveries and other highlights of an exceptional year at the forefront of With the successful commissioning in 2012 of another innovation, the Keck I LGS Taft E. Armandroff astronomical research. Beyond recognizing our achievements, we also herald 2013 and AO system, we launched a new project a time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of to improve the scientific performance of the first science observations made from the Keck II laser guide star AO system. the Keck I Telescope on Mauna Kea. Our The current Keck II system employs a 13-watt pulsed dye laser, and the level report’s feature story, “Astro Moxie,” reveals of AO correction is limited by its power the genesis and genius behind what are now and coupling efficiency to sodium atoms the most scientifically productive telescopes in the upper atmosphere. Working with a on Earth. small consortium of observatories and a commercial manufacturer, a new 20-watt To best fulfill Keck Observatory’s quest laser has been developed and demonstrated to understand the cosmos, our tools and to have approximately 10 times the coupling technology are critical. Keck capitalizes on efficiency. It is gratifying that two of our having the two largest, steerable optical/ country’s largest and most sophisticated infrared telescopes in full operation, private funders of scientific research highly advanced instrumentation and endorsed this project in 2012. The Gordon adaptive optics (AO) systems, and the best and Betty Moore Foundation provided atmospheric conditions in the world. The a grant of $2 million, and the W. M. Keck primary strategy we use to continually Foundation approved a $1.5 million grant. position Keck Observatory on the frontier At a time when public support for science of astronomy is innovative instrumentation. has been dramatically reduced, private Our arsenal for enabling new discoveries support for these technology initiatives is increased strikingly in 2012 with the particularly important. successful deployment of three new capabilities: the Multi-Object Spectrograph I would like to recognize distinguished for Infrared Exploration (MOSFIRE), our new members of the Keck Observatory Previous image: The stable air off the vast Pacific Ocean and the very Keck I Laser Guide Star (LGS) AO system, astronomy community who received dark skies of the Island of Hawaii and our latest Multi-function Acquisition, prestigious awards this year. The 2012 convincingly make the summit of Guiding and Image Quality (MAGIQ) Crafoord Prize in Astronomy was awarded Mauna Kea the finest location for ground-based observatories on monitoring system supporting our premier to Andrea Ghez (UCLA) and Reinhard Genzel Earth. planet-hunting instrument, HIRES. (Max Planck Institute) for their discovery of 9 the supermassive black hole at the center telescopes.” Nelson originated the use of of the Milky Way Galaxy. Professor Ghez an array of mirrors, synchronized in real and her team first used the speckle imaging time by a sophisticated control system, to Astronomy heavyweights, from left to right: Andrea Ghez (UCLA), system at Keck Observatory and later function in effect as a single primary mirror. David Jewitt (UCLA), Mike Brown Keck’s adaptive optics system to track the Nelson’s segmented-mirror concept was (Caltech), and Jerry Nelson (UC orbits of stars around the Galactic Center, proved first with the Keck I telescope, and Observatories). thereby measuring the immense mass of now forms the foundation for most future, Above: Looking through the the black hole located there. Administered leading telescope designs. Congratulations cassegrain focus of the mighty by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, to all of these scientists who received such Keck I telescope, the operations the Crafoord Prize for Ghez’s research well-deserved recognition in 2012! crew readies MOSFIRE for indicates that adaptive optics has truly installation. come of age as a powerful tool in modern Our vision, mission and values have Below: MOSFIRE dedication plaque. astronomy. remained constant over the past two “First Light April 4, 2012. Multi- decades, and we are absolutely committed Object Spectrometer for Infra-Red Exploration. The spectrograph was In other notable acknowledgments, David to maintaining Keck Observatory as the made possible through funding Jewitt (UCLA) and Jane Luu (MIT) were world’s key discovery machine for the provided by the National Science recognized with the 2012 Shaw Prize in next 20 years. Collaborative partnerships Foundation and astronomy Astronomy. Drs. Jewitt and Luu and Mike with our talented and ambitious research benefactors Gordon and Betty Moore.” Brown (Caltech) also were awarded the 2012 astronomers are as strong as ever, and Kavli Prize in Astrophysics “for discovering I am deeply honored to work with such Following Page: MOSFIRE is the and characterizing the Kuiper Belt and its an exceptional group of individuals that newest and the most advanced astronomical instrument available largest members, work that led to a major comprises our professional staff, our Board today. advance in the understanding of the history of Directors and our Science Steering of our planetary system.” Keck Observatory Committee. My gratitude also extends to played a significant role in the research the generosity of the funders of our work, characterizing these outer solar system be they federal agencies, educational objects. institutions, private foundations or individuals. Finally, Jerry Nelson (UC Observatories), Project Scientist for the Keck Observatory, Thank you for your interest in science and was awarded the Benjamin Franklin the mission of the W. M. Keck Observatory. Medal in Electrical Engineering in 2012, Your enthusiasm and support mean a great recognizing “his pioneering contributions deal to our future scientific discoveries and to the development of segmented-mirror leadership. 10 Cosmic Visionaries 11 The governing board of the W. M. Keck by a Science Steering Committee that Observatory consists of representatives includes leading astronomers from our from our founding partners: the California partner communities. Keck Observatory’s Institute of Technology and the University Advancement program is guided by an of California. In addition, NASA and the W. M. esteemed volunteer leadership council whose Keck Foundation each have liaisons
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