Located on the summit of a dormant volcano, 4,150 meters (13,600 feet) above the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii's W. M. Keck Observatory houses the world's two largest optical and infrared telescopes.
By linking them together as an interferometer, astronomers are able to investigate regions where Earth-like planets may have formed.
The Keck Interferometer is managed by JPL as part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
- Summit At Sunset
A view at sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea.
- Keck 1 Exterior
View of the summit from the southeast corner of the Keck Observatory.
- Observatory Roof
View from the roof of the Keck Observatory shortly before sunset.
Other telescopes atop Mauna Kea are visible in the background.
- Main Corridor
This main passageway spans the distance between the two Keck observatory domes.
- Keck 1 Base Structure
Inside each Keck dome is a multi-ton rotating structure that supports the telescope.
The entire blue-colored structure seen here can be rotated full circle.
- Keck II Mirror
This view is from the 100-foot-high balcony of the Keck 2 telescope.The telescope itself and some of its instruments are visible.
- Keck II Control Room
Facility from which the pointing and positioning of the Keck II observatory is controlled. An identical facility is located adjacent to the Keck I dome. The two control stations are connected via closed circuit TV.
- Long Delay Lines
This area houses the long delay line rails, used to make coarse adjustments in the starlight pathlength.
- Fast Delay Lines
In this area, motorized carts travel along 30-foot rails, allowing astronomers to adjust the length of the light path in real time. This adjustable section of the light path is called the Fast Delay Line.
- Combining Lab
This is the "back end" of the interferometer, where light from both telescopes is tracked and combined. It is carefully protected from dust and air currents that can distort the light beams.
- Keck Interferometer Control Room
Facility from which the pointing and positioning of the Keck I observatory is controlled. An identical facility is located adjacent to the Keck II dome. The two control stations are connected via closed circuit TV.
