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Telescopes and laser beam, in Hawai’i

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July 24, 2016

Nair Sankar calls this photo The Galea. He wrote: — Nair Sankar calls this photo *The Galea* (helmet). He wrote: “This observatory reminds me of the Roman war helmet aka a galea.”

Nair Sankar posted this photo to EarthSky Facebook on July 23, 2016. It’s the Caltech Submillimeter Telescope, near the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawai’i. Nair said the orange laser beam is being fired upward from another telescope on Mauna Kea, one of the the W.M. Keck Observatory telescopes. Its job is to measure atmospheric distortions, with the goal of helping to produce sharper astronomical images.

Fair commented that the altitude (13,870 feet, or 4,227 meters) was a problem for him, but that:

… I had a great time shooting some amazing night skies here.

Thanks, Nair!

See Nair’s Facebook page: facebook.com/nightscapefotografia

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July 24, 2016

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.