Newsletter
W. M. Keck Observatory
Volume 2, number 5
October, 2005
(Archive)
CONTENTS:
* MOON DISCOVERED ORBITING 10th PLANET
* KECK "NULLER" IS STEP TOWARD FINDING PLANETS
* PODCASTING COMES TO W. M. KECK OBSERVATORY
* STARGAZING WITH KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS
* ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEARS 31 BAGS OF TRASH
* PLANETS IN OCTOBER
* MOON PHASES
* EVENTS
* EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
* SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION
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MOON DISCOVERED ORBITING 10th PLANET
Scientists are over the moon at the W. M. Keck Observatory and the California
Institute of Technology over a new discovery of a satellite orbiting the
Solar System’s 10th planet (2003 UB313). The newly discovered moon
orbits the farthest object ever seen in the Solar System. The existence
of the moon will help astronomers resolve the question of whether 2003 UB313,
temporarily nicknamed “Xena,” is more massive than Pluto and
hence the 10th planet. A paper describing the discovery was submitted to
the Astrophysical Journal Letters on October 2, 2005. http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/news/science/051003_gabrielle/index.html
KECK AND NASA TAKES GIANT STEP TOWARD FINDING EARTH-LIKE PLANETS
A recent technology breakthrough on a key planet-finding project at the
W. M. Keck Observatory will help scientist answer questions such as, "Are
we alone in the Universe?" and "Are there planets like Earth around
stars other than our sun that might harbor life?
The breakthrough came when Keck and NASA engineers successfully used an instrument called a "nuller" on the Keck Interferometer to suppress the blinding light of three stars, including Vega, by 100 times. This breakthrough will enable scientists to detect the dim dust disks around stars, where planets might be forming. Normally the disks are obscured by the glare of the starlight. A star's light can be more than one billion times brighter than a planet.
“People have been talking about whether there are other earths out there for 2,500 years. Only now are we developing the technology to go find out,” said Michael Devirian, manager of NASA’s Navigator Program at JPL, which is investigating potential planet-exploring missions. http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/news/science/050929_nuller/index.html
PODCASTING COMES TO W. M. KECK OBSERVATORY
Users of "iTunes," "iPodder", and other type of free
podcast client software may now subscribe to Keck Observatory Podcast at:
http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/news/education/mp3.php.
This allows users to receive automatic downloads to their portable players
or personal computers of audio programs produced by the Observatory. The
Podcast consists of the audio portion of the monthly Keck Astronomy Lecture
series, and may expland to include news and interviews with observers in
the future. If you enjoy this program, please send your comments to "newsletter@keck.hawaii.edu."
STARGAZING WITH KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS
Keck Observatory Facility Engineer Craig Nance was pleased to host the popular
stargazing activity at the annual camping trip with Kamehameha Schools,
Hawaii Campus. This year's trip took place on October 12th at the Queen
Liliuokalani Children's Center in Kona. Three telescopes were used to share
stories of traditional Hawaiian star legends and star names. The students
enjoyed looking at planet Venus and learning more about our nearest celestial
neighbor, the Moon. Stargazing continued long after the kids fell asleep.
A few parents stayed with the telescopes until 10p.m. looking at some of
the most unusal craters on the moon.
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROGRAM
Each quarter about 16 volunteers at the W. M. Keck Observatory pick up litter
along two miles of Highway 190, starting a mile marker 1 and ending a mile
marker 3. This month, the Keck volunteers picked up 31 bags of trash. Each
year, the State Department of Transportation spends more than $2 million
picking up other people's trash -- and that doesn't include what the County
of Hawaii or other state agencies spend! The most unusual finds this time
were a new, unused bottle of superglue and a strip-chart thermometer. Please,
malama the 'aina!
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PLANETS IN OCTOBER
MERCURY
Mercury is back in the evening sky, in Libra, setting at about 7:00 p.m.
Look for Mercury about 10 degrees between the southwest and west horizon.
It is about 26 degrees below and to the right of bright Venus. The window
of opportunity to see Mercury is quite brief.
VENUS
Next to the sun and the moon, planet Venus is the brightest object in the
evening sky. As of Oct. 20th, Venus is in half phase, and a bright -4.3
magnitude. Venus sets a little before 9pm in the constellation Scorpio.
MARS
Speaking of Scorpio, don't mistake this great jewel star Antares for the
planet Mars! Antares gets its name from the ancient Greeks. It means Anti-Ares.
Ares is the Greek god of War who is also called Mars by the Romans. Antares
is linked to the planet Mars because they are both about the same color
and the same brightness, so it is easy to get them confused. However, Mars
is rising in the constellation Aries about about 7:40 p.m. in the East.
Antares, the heart of the Scorpion, has been close to Venus all this month,
and is now only 4 degrees below and to the west of Venus, but several magnitudes
fainter than Mars, which is now at -2.11 and getting brighter. Look for
Mars near the Pleiades on Halloween about 30 degrees above the eastern horizon
at 8:30 p.m. Mars will be at its closest approach to Earth this year on
October 29th, about 9 million miles further away than it was during its
approach to Earth in 2003.
JUPITER
Jupiter has left the evening sky and will return next Spring.
SATURN
Saturn has entered the morning sky and rises in Cancer at 1am, setting during
the day around 2pm. You can see Saturn before dawn high in the eastern sky,
about 40 degrees under the moon. Saturn will emerge in the evening sky come
November.
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MOON PHASES:
Third Quarter: October 24th
New Moon: November 1st
First Quarter: November 8th
Full Moon: November 15th
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EVENTS:
(Calendar Listing at: http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/news/calendar.php)
November 5th: THE UNIVERSE TONIGHT 6:00 p.m.
Onizuka Visitor Information Station At Mauna Kea
The monthly presentation of the popular "The Universe Tonight"
program is held the first Saturday of every month at the Onizuka Center
for International Astronomy. The presentation begins at 6:00 PM and is followed
by the regular evening stargazing program. Each month a special speaker
from a different Mauna Kea observatory will share recent observations and
discoveries with the general public.
November 8th: WEST HAWAII ASTRONOMY CLUB 7:00 p.m.
** Canada-France Hawaii Headquarters **
The West Hawaii Astronomy Club is a non-affiliated group of interested astronomy
geeks who meet regularly to socialize and discuss the wonders of the cosmos.
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month for observing sessions,
clinics and to generally promote the astronomy hobby in North and West Hawaii.
Odd-numbered months (like November) we meet at CHFT Headquarters, and even-numbered
months we meet at Keck Headquarters. Both locations are in Waimea. To join
the e-mail group, please visit: http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/whac/home.html
November 17th: KECK ASTRONOMY LECTURE 7:00 p.m.
W. M. Keck Observatory Headquarters, Waimea
Dr. Karen Meech of the University of Hawaii will discuss the results of
the Deep Impact mission, the first mission to a comet. Free and Open to
the public. (808) 885-7887.
November 19th: MALALO I KA LANI PO 6:00 p.m.
Onizuka Visitor Information Station At Mauna Kea
The monthly presentation of the popular "Malalo I Ka Lani Po"
program is held the third Saturday of every month at the Onizuka Center
for International Astronomy. The presentation begins at 6:00 PM and is followed
by the regular evening stargazing program. Each month a special speaker
from the community will speak on a cultural aspect of Mauna Kea.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
There are five open positions. Please contact Barbara Bower at bbower@keck.hawaii.edu
or 808-885-7887:
STUDENT ASSISTANT
The Observatory has one opening in the Student Employment Program located
at Keck Headquarters in Waimea. The Observatory is looking for a high school
students in good standing available to work in the Accounting Department
Monday to Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Candidates must be able to
pass two drug tests – one at the time of hire and a random test within
four months after hire date.
MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN
This is a temporary position hired through an employment agency. The Observatory
is seeking a Mechanical Technician to perform a variety of mechanical tasks,
such as welding, fabricating and machining at its facilities on the summit
of Mauna Kea. Minimum qualifications include three years experience in welding
and fabrication, capability to operate common maintenance shop tools and
equipment and an ability to work at high altitude. Employment is conditional
on successful completion of a drug test.
AIRCRAFT SPOTTERS
The W. M. Keck Observatory has openings for aircraft spotters to support
the laser instrument runs on the Keck Telescopes. Spotters work 2-4 nights
a month. The work is at the summit of Mauna Kea (14,000 feet). The hours
are approximately from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. each night. The main task
involves being positioned outside the two Keck domes for an hour at a time
scanning for aircraft. CARA provides transportation to the summit, warm
clothing and meals as appropriate. The spotters are employed as temporary
personnel through an employment agency and are paid $10/hour. Candidates
must be able to pass a drug test and eye exam and the successful candidates
must be able to work at high altitude. Candidates must be at least 18 years
of age.
SUPPORT ASTRONOMY
The Observatory seeks a Support Astronomer to maintain, operate, and develop
scientific instrumentation at the Observatory. The Support Astronomer ensures
observers are properly instructed, work a flexible schedule to support night-time
operation of the instruments and may, on occasion, be required to work at
14,000 feet elevation. Minimum qualifications include an M.S. degree in
astronomy or physics (or relevant experience); plus two years' experience
in astronomical observing and research and three years' experience with
scientific instrumentation. A Ph.D. degree, experience at an astronomical
observatory, and experience managing an astronomical archive are desirable.
LASER OPERATIONS ENGINEER
The Laser Operations Engineer will be responsible for the operational laser
facilities associated with the laser guide star systems at the Observatory.
These duties include routine operation, maintenance and safety. Required
qualifications are a B.S. degree in laser optics, physical sciences or engineering,
or equivalent experience; three years' of laser experience; and hands-on
engineering skills. Desirable qualifications include previous experience
with dye and YAG lasers; experience working at an Observatory; operations
experience and expertise in software, electronics and mechanical
engineering. This position will be required to work varying schedules including
nights and weekends
and must be able to work effectively at high altitude.
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SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION
This newsletter is available online at: http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu/news/newsletter/index.php
Send e-mail to "newsletter@keck.hawaii.edu" to be added or removed.
Produced by the W. M. Keck Observatory
Edited by Laura K. Kraft
65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy.
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 885-7887