Keck

Definition

Keck refers to the W. M. Keck Observatory, a prominent astronomical observatory located in Hawaii. It houses two of the world's largest optical and infrared telescopes, which are critical for advanced stellar observations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Keck Observatory consists of two 10-meter telescopes, known as Keck I and Keck II.
2. Keck telescopes use adaptive optics technology to correct for distortions caused by Earth's atmosphere.
3. These telescopes are instrumental in analyzing starlight to determine stellar radius, composition, and motion.
4. Keck Observatory has contributed significantly to the discovery of exoplanets and studies of distant galaxies.
5. Spectrographs on the Keck telescopes allow astronomers to measure the redshift of stars and galaxies.

Review Questions

• What technology do the Keck telescopes use to correct atmospheric distortions?
• What types of measurements can be made using the spectrographs on the Keck telescopes?
• How have the Keck telescopes contributed to our understanding of exoplanets?

Related terms

Adaptive Optics: Technology used in telescopes to reduce atmospheric distortion, improving image clarity.

Spectrograph: An instrument that separates light into its component wavelengths for analysis.

Redshift: A phenomenon where light from an object is shifted towards longer wavelengths due to its motion away from the observer.