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1. Innovations and advances in instrumentation at the W. M. Keck Observatory, vol. II

   https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2628630  

   Kassis, Marc .; Allen, Steve; Alvarez, Carlos; Banyal, Ravinder; Bertz, Robert; Beichman, Charles; Brown, Aaron; Brown, Matthew; Cabak, Gerald; Bundy, Kevin; et al (August 2022, Innovations and advances in instrumentation at the W. M. Keck Observatory, vol. II)

   Evans, Christopher J.; Bryant, Julia J.; Motohara, Kentaro (Ed.)

   Since the start of science operations in 1993, the twin 10-meter W. M. Keck Observatory (WMKO) telescopes have continued to maximize their scientific impact and to produce transformative discoveries that keep the observing community on the frontiers of astronomical research. Upgraded capabilities and new instrumentation are provided though collaborative partnerships with Caltech, the University of California, and the University of Hawaii instrument development teams, as well as industry and other organizations. This paper summarizes the performance of recently commissioned infrastructure projects, technology upgrades, and new additions to the suite of observatory instrumentation. We also provide a status of projects currently in design or development phases and, since we keep our eye on the future, summarize projects in exploratory phases that originate from our 2022 strategic plan developed in collaboration with our science community to adapt and respond to evolving science needs. 

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2. Adaptive optics at W. M. Keck Observatory

   https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3017853  

   Wizinowich, Peter L; Bouchez, Antonin; Marin, Eduardo; Cetre, Sylvain; Chin, Jason; Correia, Carlos M; van_Dam, Marcos A; Delorme, Jacques-Robert R; Gers, Luke; Guthery, Charlotte E; et al (August 2024, SPIE)

   Schmidt, Dirk; Vernet, Elise; Jackson, Kathryn J (Ed.)

   The first scientific observations with adaptive optics (AO) at W. M. Keck Observatory (WMKO) began in 1999. Through 2023, over 1200 refereed science papers have been published using data from the WMKO AO systems. The scientific competitiveness of AO at WMKO has been maintained through a continuous series of AO and instrument upgrades and additions. This tradition continues with AO being a centerpiece of WMKO’s scientific strategic plan for 2035. We will provide an overview of the current and planned AO projects from the context of this strategic plan. The current projects include implementation of new real-time controllers, the KAPA laser tomography system and the HAKA high-order deformable mirror system, the development of multiple advanced wavefront sensing and control techniques, the ORCAS space-based guide star project, and three new AO science instruments. We will also summarize steps toward the future strategic directions which are centered on ground-layer, visible and high-contrast AO. 

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3. Five thoughts about improving science communication as an organizational activity

   https://doi.org/10.1108/jcom-03-2020-0022  

   Besley, John C. (May 2020, Journal of Communication Management)

   null (Ed.)

   Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe five key lessons learned from a decade of studying how scientists and science communicators think about communication strategy. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on the experience of the researcher and the underlying literatures on strategic communication and science communication. Findings The key argument is that the scientific community needs to put more priority into enabling organizations to plan and implement strategic communication efforts on behalf of science. At present, there is too much reliance on individual communicators. Originality/value The value of this paper is in the degree to which it argues for a more strategic, organization-focused approach to science communication that emphasizes the setting of clear behavioral goals, followed by discussion about what communication objectives might help achieve those goals and the communication tactics needed to achieve the prioritized objectives. 

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4. Charting the Course to Advance DEI in the Ocean Sciences: A Case Study

   https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2024.126  

   D’Elia, Christopher; Falls, Katherine; Bargu, Sibel; Hooper-Bùi, Linda (January 2023, Oceanography)

   The Louisiana State University College of the Coast & Environment (LSU CC&E) developed a multi-faceted strategic initiative to increase its diversity, equity, and inclusion. Elements of this initiative began one-by-one over the last decade and were aggregated into a comprehensive implementation plan—the 2020 CC&E Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan. Based on best practices in the “physical sciences” (i.e., geosciences, including oceanography), the plan aims to augment recruitment and retention using limited resources and personnel. The long-range goal is to increase the number of PhD graduates from underrepresented groups by employing strategies that start at the 6–12th grade level. The plan involves a change in culture, clear communications about needs and goals, and active participation and engagement of CC&E faculty, students, staff, supporters, and partners. This plan is increasing the diversity of enrollment in our academic programs and will ultimately lead to more students with both undergraduate and graduate degrees. 

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5. Observations with the Southern Connecticut Stellar Interferometer. I. Instrument Description and First Results

   https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ac43bb  

   Horch, Elliott P.; Weiss, Samuel A.; Klaucke, Paul M.; Pellegrino, Richard A.; Rupert, Justin D. (January 2022, The Astronomical Journal)

   Abstract We discuss the design, construction, and operation of a new intensity interferometer, based on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut. While this paper will focus on observations taken with an original two-telescope configuration, the current instrumentation consists of three portable 0.6 m Dobsonian telescopes with single-photon avalanche diode detectors located at the Newtonian focus of each telescope. Photons detected at each station are time stamped and read out with timing correlators that can give cross-correlations in timing to a precision of 48 ps. We detail our observations to date with the system, which has now been successfully used at our university in 16 nights of observing. Components of the instrument were also deployed on one occasion at Lowell Observatory, where the Perkins and Hall telescopes were made to function as an intensity interferometer. We characterize the performance of the instrument in detail. In total, the observations indicate the detection of a correlation peak at the level of 6.76σwhen observing unresolved stars, and consistency with partial or no detection when observing at a baseline sufficient to resolve the star. Using these measurements, we conclude that the angular diameter of Arcturus is larger than 15 mas and that of Vega is between 0.8 and 17 mas. While the uncertainties are large at this point, both results are consistent with measures from amplitude-based long baseline optical interferometers. 

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