Rationale
The Keck Observatory's Natural and Laser Guide Adaptive Optics (AO) Systems currently provide the highest spatial resolution (~0.05" in K-band) near-IR observations of the sky. These systems have reached maturity, and are equipped with a suite of imaging and spectroscopic instruments including: NIRC2 (imaging/spectroscopy), NIRSPEC (slit spectroscopy), and OSIRIS (IFU spectroscopy). As a result, the Keck community is a leader in AO science.
There is, however, a significant learning curve for new users to maximize science return from their AO observations. In response to requests from the Keck community, the Center for Adaptive Optics Treasury Survey (CATS) and the Keck AO team are planning an interactive Keck AO workshop in conjunction with the September 2008 Keck Science meeting. The workshop will seek to provide PI's, postdocs, and graduate students the information necessary to plan and carry out successful Keck AO programs. In addition, the workshop will provide (1) sample raw NIRC2 imaging and OSIRIS IFU data, (2) reduction software packages, and (3) hands-on tutorials for reducing and analyzing these data sets. Instructors will include experienced Keck AO users as well as the Keck AO support astronomers.
All workshop materials will be made available to the public through a web interface.
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