Remote Observing
Introduction
The W. M. Keck Observatory supports observing by its science users from home or from selected sites around the world. This enables scientists to avoid the cost and disruption of travel to Keck's headquarters in Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii for their observing runs.
To use remote observing for your Keck observing run, you will need to complete a Remote Observing Request form which is accessible from your observer login page (you may need to create an account there if you’ve never observed at Keck before). Only one Remote Observing Request is needed per observing program, if one is already filled out for your run, contact the PI (or whoever from your observing team filled out the request) and ask them to add you as an observer. Once your remote observing request is approved, you will be able to use the remote site selected in the form.
Beginning with the Coronavirus pandemic, we enabled “at home” observing which enables users to connect from home to perform their observing runs. If you want to use this, select “Other” as the site in the remote observing request form. Once approved, you will be able to install and configure the Remote Observing software for remote access.
Getting Help
Request Remote Observing software help via our Help Desk web form.
If you are an observer on the night of your observing run, you can use this link to find phone numbers for the Staff Astronomers (note this is a password protected link).
Public Articles in this Space
Troubleshooting
Remote Observing News