Operational performance of the Keck 10-m telescope

Peter R. Gillingham

doi:10.1117/12.268967

21 March 1997 Operational performance of the Keck 10-m telescope

Peter R. Gillingham

Proceedings Volume 2871, Optical Telescopes of Today and Tomorrow; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.268967
Event: Optical Telescopes of Today and Tomorrow, 1996, Landskrona/Hven, Sweden

Abstract

The first 10 meter Keck telescope has been fully scheduled for astronomy since early 1994. Commissioning the initial three instruments and optimizing the primary mirror performance had occupied most of the previous year. Subsequently, considerable effort has been spent on mechanically and electrically improving the dome and shutter. Despite these problems, the percentage of time lost from astronomy to faults has been reasonably low. Although there remains much room for improvement, e.g. in more carefully controlling the dome thermal conditions and maintaining better alignment of the telescope optics in routine operation, the optical performance has been very encouraging. The median image FWHM reported with scientific instruments has been about 0.7 arcsec and there are firm indications that the site, the optics, and the instrumental seeing will allow us to reach a median of about 0.5 arcsec.

Citation Download Citation

Peter R. Gillingham "Operational performance of the Keck 10-m telescope", Proc. SPIE 2871, Optical Telescopes of Today and Tomorrow, (21 March 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.268967

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