Transcribed from a February 1, 2006 speech by Dr. Taft Armandroff
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| Photo: Dr. Taft Armandroff, new Director
of Keck Observatory. Photo by Sarah Anderson. |
"I am honored to be chosen by the Board as the next Director
of the Keck Observatory. As an astronomer and astronomical administrator,
I see and pay a lot of attention to what the other observatories
are doing. For over a decade I have had the utmost respect and
admiration for the work -- scientific, technical, and administrative
-- that has gone on here at the Keck Observatory. There are
so many signs of excellence. For example, consider scientific
productivity. If you measure productivity by the number of papers,
by citations to these papers, or by scientific results that
are featured in the media, Keck Observatory is at the top. That
shows that everybody is doing a great job because you can't
fabricate scientific productivity. Everyone contributes to it,
from the support astronomer to the person who maintains the
telescope, to the instrument and telescope builders -- everyone.
So it is extremely impressive.
Keck dominates a number of scientific fields. I have been associated
with Gemini Observatory for the last six years, and, in general,
we did not to go head-to-head with Keck in an area where Keck
excels. I am very impressed by the variety and capability of
the Keck scientific instruments. I am extremely impressed by
the high spatial resolution capabilities, the adaptive optics,
and the interferometry. Leading the world in the development
of the Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics System is an inspiring
accomplishment. In terms of other developments, I am particularly
impressed by the new Advancement Office.
I am excited about working with all of you and helping wherever
I can to keep science on the front burner. I believe we all
can work together to preserve what a special place Keck is and
continue the profound contributions the Observatory has made
to astronomical research."
Taft received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Astronomy from
Wesleyan University, and from Yale University: his Masters of
Science in Astronomy, Masters of Philosophy in Astronomy, and
Ph.D. in Astronomy. He and his wife, Liz, and their daughter
Olivia reside in Waimea. 
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