Subject: APO 3.5m Primary Status

From: elt@astro.Princeton.EDU

Submitted: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 15:22:58 -0400 (EDT)

Message number: 378 (previous: 377, next: 379 up: Index)

Inspection of the 3.5-meter primary in preparation for re-assembly
of the telescope, following the recent extensive engineering work,
revealed that the glass walls of at least one of the hex cells
has been damaged slightly.  It appears that the damage is associated
with the mirror's transverse support system.

Based on presently available information, it appears most likely
that the problem is a relatively minor one which may require
eventual remediation but which will not have any major consequence.
However, there are sufficient technical uncertainties about the
extent and cause of the damage that a more serious problem requiring
a more drastic response cannot be ruled out.

Since the health and safety of the primary must be treated very
conservatively, immediate steps are being taken to obtain a better
understanding of the situation.  This activity is responsible, in
part, for the further extension of the current shutdown as described
in the previous message.  Once the technical situation is clarified,
it will be possible to make a definite plan for the resumption of
science operations.  I anticipate and hope, but cannot guarantee,
that no great delay will be necessary.

Ed Turner

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