Date: 18 Oct 2006 23:44:18
From: Sam Wormley
Subject: Earthquake Update from W. M. Keck Observatory
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Earthquake Update from W. M. Keck Observatory
http://www.keckobservatory.org/article.php?id=95
Kamuela (ober 16th, 2006)
The W. M. Keck Observatory is recovering from a 6.7-magnitude
earthquake and a series of aftershocks that struck off the west coast
of Hawaii Sunday morning at 7:07 a.m. HST. The earthquake was the
largest to hit Hawaii in 20 years and caused power and communication
failures across the state. There were no injuries at W. M. Keck
Observatory and all personnel are safe.
UPDATE: . 18, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.:
The astronomy lecture series will continue with Dr. J. Davy Kirkpatrick
this Thursday evening, . 19th at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Kirkpatrick will
present, "Brown Dwarfs: Bridging the Gap Between Stars and Planets."
The Observatory has cancelled observing through Wednesday night and
Observatory personnel are in the process of bringing the facility into
a safe state. The telescopes and instruments will be returned to full
functionality as soon as possible.
As of Tuesday, the Observatory estimated it would take a few days to
return Keck I to operational status. It will take at least this long to
restore Keck II functionality and the status remains unchanged. There
is no damage to observatory computers or servers and all data has been
backed up and is safe. Power has been restored to all headquarter and
summit facilities and the headquarter facilities are open.
The primary mirrors of both Keck telescopes are intact and do not
appear damaged. However, some guiding and pointing systems have been
damaged and must be repaired before Observing can resume.
"We have made great progress today in repairing damaged systems and
verifying the health of other systems, and we're just delighted
with the work of our team," said Observatory Director Taft
Armandroff.
Scheduled observing teams are encouraged to contact Observing Support
Manager Bob Goodrich at (808) 881-3869 with questions about specific
instruments or travel to Hawaii.
The Observatory's Web site will remain a source of information and
updates. For more information, please call the Observatory's
Public Information Office at (808) 881-3827 or send an e-mail to:
newsletter@keck.hawaii.edu.
Media Contact:
Laura K. Kinoshita
W. M. Keck Observatory
65-1120 Mamalahoa Hwy.
Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 885-7887
newsletter@keck.hawaii.edu
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