Professor Imke de Pater (University of California, Berkeley)

Solar System Studies at Near and Mid-infrared Wavelengths with the Keck telescope - Imke de Pater Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

We are using the newly implemented adaptive optics system on the 10-m Keck
telescope in Hawaii to observe planets and satellites in our Solar system.
We observe these bodies at infrared wavelengths. The images are very sharp, and
are directly comparable with images obtained at visible wavelengths with the
Hubble Space telescope (Keck images are 4 times better than HST images at
infrared wavelengths).
After a short introduction on what is adaptive optics, I will talk about and
show images of Titan and Io (+ a movie of Io), and if time allows of Neptune and
Uranus. What is
Titan's surface like; are there oceans of hydrocarbons? Volcanism on Io:
we have captured a truly large volcanic outburst during our observing run in
February 2001. Neptune's atmosphere seems to be very dynamic, in particular
in contrast to Uranus where only a few small clouds can be discerned.