Over the past month we have seen a significant increase in Triple Spec's slit mechanism failures. One of the most recent failures caused the slit mechanism to stop in a non-science position rendering the instrument unusable for several days. Recent testing by the staff and the UVa Instrument team have determined that the most likely source of these failures is inside the dewar. Since moving the slit could render the instrument out of service for a prolonged time we have decided to move the slit to the 1.1" position and power off the mechanism. As a result, the only configuration for TSpec slit , effective immediately and for the foreseeable future, is the 1.1" slit. We are working with the UVa Instrument team to develop a repair plan. We regret any inconvenience this may cause, however we feel this is the only option we have at this time that will continue to make TSpec scientifically productive for the majority of our users. If you determine that your time can not be used as a result of this action please contact Suzanne Hawley to arrange a time swap. Further discussion on the state and productivity of TSpec will be held during the upcoming Users Committee teleconference. We encourage you to contact your institutional representative for that committee with any input you would like to make and to read the published minutes following the next meeting. If you have any questions please feel free to contact myself or Suzanne Hawley Mark Klaene APO Site Operations Manager APO APO APO APO APO Apache Point Observatory 3.5m APO APO APO APO APO This is message 1263 in the apo35-general archive. You can find APO the archive on http://www.astro.princeton.edu/APO/apo35-general/INDEX.html APO To join/leave the list, send mail to apo35-request@astro.princeton.edu APO To post a message, mail it to apo35-general@astro.princeton.edu APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO APO