FINDS Exo-Earths Starts Up: Testing the Prototype

The prototype that Julien constructed in the lab was taken to Lick Observatory, and we had our first-light run with the fiber in July. Unfortunately (and uncharacteristic for summer) the weather was not great -- clouds and humidity limited the number of observations. However, we were able to obtain a few spectra through the fiber and confirmed the remarkable stability that motivated the project.

We returned to the Observatory for scheduled time in August 2009, and, as it happens, a crew was there filming a National Geographic special on exoplanets. So folks may see the fiber featured when this documentary airs!