Keck Adaptive Optics Archives

A simplified diagram of the KPIC phase II instrument including the FIU and FEU. All moving mechanisms are denoted with double ended arrows. The options for each mechanism are listed next to them. The options highlighted in orange are the default settings used for nominal K band science operations most similar to the original phase I mode. The green options are alternative settings available for the many phase II modes. -- astro-ph.IM

Astronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Technical Description and Performance of the Phase II Version of the Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer

by Keith CowingFebruary 6, 2025February 6, 2025

The Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC) is a series of upgrades for the Keck II Adaptive Optics (AO) system and the NIRSPEC spectrograph to enable diffraction limited, high resolution […]

llustration of possible system evolutionary histories under the Close-NE (a– c) and Wide-NE (d–f) models. Objects and orbits are not drawn to scale. Separations are representative values. (a) Initial configuration: close-in brown dwarf and wide-orbit planet. (b) Orbits expand due to host-star mass loss. AGB host star overflows Roche Lobe. Brown dwarf enters common envelope. (c) Common envelope ejected as brown dwarf orbit reduces to 0.2 au. Planetary orbit further expands. (d) Initial configuration: close-in planet and wide-orbit brown dwarf. (e) Orbits expand due to host-star mass loss. Brown dwarf and planet avoid interacting with the AGB host star. (f) Orbits continue to expand. -- astro-ph.EP

Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Status Report, Stellar Cartography

An Earth-Mass Planet and a Brown Dwarf in Orbit Around a White Dwarf

by Keith CowingSeptember 6, 2024September 6, 2024

Terrestrial planets born beyond 1-3 AU have been theorized to avoid being engulfed during the red-giant phases of their host stars.

Keck Adaptive Optics

Technical Description and Performance of the Phase II Version of the Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer

An Earth-Mass Planet and a Brown Dwarf in Orbit Around a White Dwarf

Planetesimal Formation Across the Stellar Mass Spectrum and its Influence on Exoplanet-Inherited Volatile Budgets

Astronaut Training For Underground Science Expeditions

Achieving Efficient Broadband Spatial Filtering For LIFE: Status And Plan

A Comprehensive Study Of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko In The 2021/2022 Apparition. II. Colorimetry, Polarimetry, Modeling

Mars Express And Psyche Same Day Imagery of Mars