All: We're pleased to report to you that the 3.5-m telescope appears ready to resume scheduled science programs starting tonight. The telescope, guider, and instruments performed reasonably well last night, and we feel that our users can make productive scientific use of the observatory, weather permitting. There may still some "bumps" in the night, but let's give it a go. Some the shutdown project have led to improvements that should be noticeable to the user. We have hopes that the stalling of the instrument rotator is fixed, repeatability of grating positioning of DIS should be better, and the new off-axis guider can be used on a "shared-risk" basis (it needs more commissioning time in coming weeks). The calibration lamps are now controllable via remote control--contact techstaff@apo.nmsu.edu for details. A comprehensive report on the shutdown fixes and improvements will be issued separately. Our thanks to the engineers, observing specialists, consultants, and other ARC staff who have worked hard and long to complete the shutdown projects, and to the users for their patience and support. Bruce Gillespie, on behalf of the APO staff APO APO APO APO APO Apache Point Observatory 3.5m APO APO APO APO APO This is message 179 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