Astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea were damaged by Sunday's earthquake
Sunday's 6.7 magnitude earthquake and its
aftershocks shut down the large research telescopes atop Mauna Kea and, at the
very least, caused some damage or disruption to their control
systems.
As of Tuesday, the W. M. Keck Observatory
estimated that it would take a few days to return the Keck I telescope to
operational status. Restoring Keck II will take at least as long. The primary
mirrors were apparently not damaged, but the guiding and pointing systems
were.
Gemini Observatory's 8-meter telescope is still being inspected. There was apparently some debris on the primary mirror. The secondary mirrors and its related systems had not been inspected because the telescope has not yet been able to be moved.
Inspection of the 8.2-meter Subaru telescope will continue for some time, although visual inspection did not reveal any major damage.
W. M. Keck Observatory
Gemini Observatory's 8-meter telescope is still being inspected. There was apparently some debris on the primary mirror. The secondary mirrors and its related systems had not been inspected because the telescope has not yet been able to be moved.
Inspection of the 8.2-meter Subaru telescope will continue for some time, although visual inspection did not reveal any major damage.
W. M. Keck Observatory
Posted: Wednesday - October 18, 2006 at 01:29 AM
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Published On: Jan 25, 2008 02:22 AM
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