Most observing on the Keck telescopes is now done from
one of the remote observing rooms located in the "Kohala Wing" of the WMKO
Headquarters complex in Waimea (Kamuela), HI, where technical support for observers
is more readily available, computing and other support facilities are more
extensive, and oxygen deprivation less prevalent than on the 13,796 ft
(4200 m) Mauna Kea summit. A Polycom teleconferencing link provides
excellent audio and video contact between the observing
team and the observing assistant (OA), who operates the telescope from
the control room at the Mauna Kea summit.
WMKO also maintains ten very comfortable motel-style day-sleeper units
("Visiting Scientists' Quarters" (VSQ))
and a large, separate "commons" area containing a self-service kitchen,
dining room, entertainment area, laundry facility, and computing room with workstations and network connections for laptops. These
are located approximately 70 meters from the Kohala Wing.
Rather than travel to Hawaii, experienced Keck observers may choose
to have part or all of their team observe remotely from one of
several mainland sites which offer facilities and support for
mainland observing. Use of these sites may be done in either an
"eavesdropping" mode, with at least one member of the observing
team in Waimea at the controls, or in "mainland-only" mode, with
the entire team on the mainland. It is important to note that only
certain instruments are available for remote use, and that you must
notify us well in advance if you intend to make use of a mainland
site for your Keck run; this is required so that we can ensure
availability of the site. It is now possible to observe from one of several locations on the
mainland: UC Berkeley (LBNL & Campus), UCLA, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, or Caltech.
Please see the complete description of
Observing from the Mainland for details.
We no longer support observers working at the summit. All observing will be done from the Headquarters in Waimea or from the remote observing rooms on the mainland (see above).
