Dr. Richard Dekany
Caltech

University of Florida Astronomy Colloquium - Apr. 16th, 2008

Second-generation Adaptive Optics at Caltech's Observatories

Since 1999, the 5-meter Palomar and 10-meter Keck Observatories have enjoyed infrared adaptive optics (AO) capabilities feeding imaging spectrographs. The addition of a sodium laser guide star (LGS) science capabilities at Keck in 2003 and at Palomar in 2007 have expanded the range of science applications. The commissioning of an integral field spectroscopy at Keck behind LGS in 2005 further expanded AO science return.

Caltech Optical Observatories and its global partners are now engaged in the development of a 2nd generation of AO and instrument capabilities for four of CaltechÕs existing and proposed telescopes, including the international 30-meter diameter TMT. Each of these systems is further refined to target specific science applications, from transient follow-up and characterization, to high-contrast direct imaging, to precision photometry and astrometry, with strong emphasis on spectroscopy and low thermal backgrounds. When fully implemented, CaltechÕs 2nd-Gen AO systems will feed a total of 14 science instruments (12 of them new) by 2020.

We will survey the science return from existing AO systems at Palomar and Keck and compare the capabilities and challenges for each of CaltechÕs 2nd-Gen AO systems.