Hawaii Astronomy

The Keck Observatory houses the Keck I and the Keck II 10 meter in diameter telescopes, the world’s largest optical-Infrared Twin telescopes. These telescopes have 36 hexagonal segments that work as one reflective glass. Each of the telescopes weighs at about 270 tons, bringing each of the Observatories to a total of 300 tons. These telescopes have the precision by the nanometers but with the optimal balance of mass and strength. The dome of the two observatories is temperature controlled by air conditioners especially during daytime when direct sunlight comes into contact with the observatory. These preventive measures ensure that the telescope will stand resistant to the deforming forces of gravity.

The Keck Observatory was made possible through the grants of more than $140 from the W. M. Keck Foundation, at which the observatory was operated by the California Association for Research in Astronomy (CARA). Its Board of Directors includes representatives from the California Institute of Technology and the University of California.