We observed several known multiple asteroid systems during our last observing run with the W.M. Keck Observatory and its Adaptive Optics Systems. If you have been following my personal blogs and/or the scientific articles of our group, you know this is the scientific topic which is taking most of my time recently. Today, as you can see if you explore our VOBAD database, we know 192 companions of asteroids.
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Posted by SETI Institute at 1:09 PM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
I'd like to share a short post on observations of Io that we did using the Keck telescope and its AO system. I obtained telescope time at the end of June 2010 with the W.M. Keck II telescope and its Adaptive Optics system. Because I could not afford to travel to the Big Island, I decided to conduct these observations from UC-Berkeley, using a dedicated remote control room in the basement of our building. Keaton Burns, one of my REU students, was also there and helped me during these observations. Interestingly, it was his first observation run with an optical telescope. Starting as a newbie with the largest telescope in the world, I am hoping he is not going to get bored too quickly. :-)
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Posted by SETI Institute at 10:40 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
By Dr. Mark R. Showalter Planetary Astronomer at the Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, SETI Institute In 1609, Galileo introduced to the world his new invention, the astronomical telescope. It opened up new opportunities...
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Posted by SETI Institute at 5:00 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Jupiter's moon Europa could be the best place beyond the Earth to search for life. This small moon, about the size of Earth's Moon, is one of the Galilean moons first discovered 400 years ago by Galileo. The Galilean moons were the first objects observed to orbit another planet, and they revolutionized the way our solar system was understood.
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Posted by SETI Institute at 3:42 PM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
