[Previous] | [Session 51] | [Next]
M. Colavita (JPL)
The Keck Interferometer is a NASA-funded joint development among JPL, the W. M. Keck Observatory, and Caltech. The interferometer will combine the two 10 m Keck telescopes with four 1.8 m outrigger telescopes in several observing modes. These include: nulling interferometry at 10 um, near-infrared differential-phase measurements, narrow-angle astrometry, and near-infrared imaging. Initial operation will use a two-way near-infrared fringe detector and angle tracker.
First fringes of the system using the 40 cm test siderostats were achieved in February 2001, followed by first fringes using the two 10 m Keck telescopes with their adaptive optics systems on the night of March 12, 2001. First fringe activities and current status will be presented.