W.M. Keck Observatory officials on Monday notified the state Department of Health that they detected “a small seepage of oil” from the hydraulic system supporting the Keck I telescope and acted to contain the oil, according to a news release from the observatory.
“We are taking this situation very seriously and have engaged all appropriate authorities,” said Richard Matsuda, chief of operations for Keck Observatory.
In the course of unrelated maintenance, observatory technicians discovered the oil leak April 19 in an area normally concealed behind drywall inside the telescope facility.
Keck technicians removed the remaining drywall Monday. Close inspection found a total of six potential areas where a slow leak might be occurring.
“While we took immediate steps to contain the initial oil seepage, we were slow to launch a full investigation, a delay that I regret and for which I take full responsibility,” said Hilton Lewis, Keck Observatory director. “We are now giving this investigation the full attention it requires as the top priority for the observatory.”
Keck officials retained consulting firm Masa Fujioka and Associates to conduct an independent investigation of the leak and recommend appropriate remedial measures, if necessary, in consultation with the DOH and Office of Maunakea Management, the observatory said in the release.