MAUNA KEA, Hawaii (June 9, 2005) On July 3rd at about 7:52
PM HST, comet Tempel 1 will collide with NASA’s Deep Impact
spacecraft, and Hawaii is gearing up to witness this unprecedented
event.
“It’s anyone’s guess what will occur as twilight
ends on July 3rd and the collision obliterates the impactor,”
said Subaru Telescope director Dr. Hiroshi Karoji. “If
something profound does happen, Mauna Kea telescopes will see
it in many different ways and quite possibly learn more about
comets from that instant than in centuries of observations.”
Mauna Kea, and all of Hawaii, will have a front row seat during
the impact. NASA’s decision for the timing of the impact
was partially determined by the location of Earth-bound telescopes
and their ability to observe the event. Mauna Kea, with the
world’s best collection of giant telescopes, will be ready
to observe the event with a wide array of instruments when the
impact occurs near the end of evening twilight.
No matter what happens, the telescopes on Mauna Kea are doing
everything they can to make the most of this collision. In particular,
the world’s largest telescopes -- the W.M. Keck, Subaru
and Gemini North telescopes -- have teamed up to maximize the
unique capabilities of each facility:
"We are very excited about our participation in this unique
astronomical event," said Dr. Frederic Chaffee, director
of the W. M. Keck Observatory. "All the major telescopes
on Mauna Kea are working together to be certain that we use
the best capabilities of each facility. The data we obtain will
be made publicly available as soon after the event as possible
so that astronomers all over the world can begin to digest and
interpret the results."
With a total light collecting area as large as a professional
tennis court, the W.M. Keck, Subaru and Gemini North telescopes
can see fainter objects in space at greater levels of detail
than most other telescopes on Earth or in space.
“Most of the time Mauna Kea’s large telescopes
have a healthy competition going on, to see things that nobody
has ever seen before,” says Dr. Matt Mountain, director
of the Gemini Observatory. “For a once in a lifetime opportunity
like this we really want to make sure that all of Mauna Kea’s
giant telescopes observe this event in a coordinated way. The
common goal is to leave a legacy of knowledge for everyone.”
The public may participate in several Deep Impact events, all
of which are free and open to the public:
-
Saturday, July 2nd,
6:00 p.m., Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station: Public Lecture,
“Cracking the Shell – What Might the Inside of
a Comet Look Like?” Stargazing of Comet Tempel 1 to
follow afterwards. (808) 961-2180.
-
Sunday, July 3rd,
7:00 p.m., M W. M. Keck Observatory Headquarters in Waimea:
Public may eavesdrop on observing and share the evening with
professional and amateur astronomers. (808) 885 7887.
-
Sunday, July 3rd,
6:30 p.m. University of Hawaii at Hilo, UCB 100: A panel of
speakers will give mini-presentations and provide commentary
on near images from the NASA Deep Impact spacecraft and a
telescope on Mauna Kea. (808) 932-2328.
-
Sunday, July 3rd,
6:00 p.m. Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station: Stargazing
with 16-inch, 14-inch and several smaller telescopes. (808)
961-2180.
Comet Tempel 1 is now visible only through binoculars or telescopes.
Scientists do not know what to expect at the moment of impact,
but a huge plume of ejected material may cause the comet to
brighten by several magnitudes. If the plume is bright enough,
people may see a new star appear, near Spica and the planet
Jupiter.
For links to more information on the Deep Impact mission and events
in Hawaii, please visit: http://www.mkooc.org/deepimpact.html
June 9, 2005
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