Keck Planet Finder Instrument at the W.M. Keck Observatory achieves ‘First Light’

Congratulations to Andrew Howard and his team and to the W.M. Keck Observatory on the first on sky measurements using the Keck Planet Finder!   To date, thousands of large exoplanets have been cataloged by observatories world-wide.  This newest instrument at the Observatory brings increased sensitivity that enables astronomers to search the Heavens for small Earth sized planets, those most promising for alien life.   The instrument measures tiny shift in the spectrum of light from stars that wobble as an exoplanet orbits around it.   This required remarkable innovations and engineering.  For more information visit: