|
 |
| |
Question
Does seismic activity on Mauna Kea effect the operation of the telescopes there?
Asked by: Captain Darryl Welch
Answer
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano. Seismic activity is much less of a concern than
wind.
The summit of Mauna Kea is home to a dozen or so world-class observatories. The
largest, and most well-known is the Keck Observatory.
According to their official website:
'On the telescope, each segment's figure is kept stable by a system of extremely
stable support structures and adjustable warping harnesses. During observing, a
computer-controlled system of sensors and actuators (or precision pistons)
adjusts the position of each segment - relative to its neighbors - to an accuracy of
four nanometers, or 1,000 times thinner than a human hair.'
You can learn more about the W.M. Keck Observatory here:
http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu:3636/
Answered by: Charles Hill, Network Engineer, Deltona, FL
|
|
