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(Cosmic Matters columns are prepared by scientists and staff at W.M. Keck Observatory.) This our first in what we hope becomes a series of O.I.Q. quizzes. Ready, set, go! 1) TRUE or FALSE? Keck astronomers are easily identified in the streets of Waimea because they all have bloodshot eyes from spending nights looking through the […]

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(Cosmic Matters columns are prepared by scientists and staff at W.M. Keck Observatory.) Young people these days. They go through high school and college, trying to find their way in the world with gloom, doom and debt all around them. The path to becoming a highly skilled and employable worker is not easy, despite the […]

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(Cosmic Matters columns are prepared by scientists and staff at W.M. Keck Observatory.) Imagine scanning the Help Wanted ads and finding this: “MEN WANTED for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.” Yes, this was a real employment ad, […]

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(Cosmic Matters columns are prepared by scientists and staff at W.M. Keck Observatory.) When the Wizard of Oz roared that line, he was hidden behind a curtain. He knew all too well that he was not particularly great nor very powerful, and wanted no one to find out (a scheme foiled by that heroic terrier […]

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(Cosmic Matters columns are prepared by scientists and staff at W.M. Keck Observatory. This piece was written by Kevin Bundy.) Humans are not alone in their struggle against an increasing waistline. Astronomers believe galaxies too put on weight throughout their lives, growing not only by consuming hydrogen gas — which is then converted to stars […]

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(Cosmic Matters columns are prepared by scientists and staff at W.M. Keck Observatory. This piece was written by Ashley Yeager, WMKO public information office.) David Lynn pulls his mask over his eyes, repositions his SCUBA tank and sinks below the water’s surface. While he could be diving anywhere along the coast of Hawaii Island, in […]

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(Cosmic Matters columns are prepared by scientists and staff at W.M. Keck Observatory. This piece was written by Ashley Yeager, WMKO public information office.) If you think washing the mirrors and windows in your home is a daunting task, imagine cleaning two of the largest light-collecting surfaces in the astronomy world — the twin 10-meter […]

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