Subject: APO 3.5m telescope has a new top end!

From: Suzanne Hawley

Submitted: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 10:57:17 -0700 (PDT)

Message number: 986 (previous: 985, next: 987 up: Index)

Dear APO 3.5m Telescope community,

After years of discussion, and nearly two in design and construction, we are 
pleased to announce that the APO 3.5-m telescope has a new "top end" consisting 
of a new square frame, vanes, mirror cage and actuators.  The redesign greatly 
improves the safety of the glass, and additionally the new top end has stiffer 
components and a new transverse actuator system for the secondary mirror, both 
of which promise to deliver better image quality.  Also the new axial actuators 
should allow smoother, and backlash free, focussing adjustments which we have 
been waiting for in order to consider implementing an autofocus capability on 
the telescope.

Many people have contributed to the success of this project, which was led 
by Mark Klaene.  We also send our thanks to Larry Carey, Jon Davis, Dave 
Woods, Eric Sandberg, Russell Owen, Fritz Stauffer, Jon Brinkmann, Ben 
Harris, Jim Davenport, Michael Spector, Craig Loomis, Russet McMillan, 
Bill Ketzeback, Gabrelle Saurage, Jack Dembicky, Gretchen Van Doren, Mike 
Evans and the staff at the UW Physics Machine Shop for their 
contributions, large or small, to this fine accomplishment.

The 3.5m telescope will return to normal science operation on schedule tonight. 
Along with the work on the new top end, numerous other maintenance tasks were 
performed on the telescope and instruments during the sumemr shutdown.  We ask 
that observers be alert and communicate to the Observing Specialists any 
unusual behavior in the telescope or data systems, and also to exercise 
patience as we perform additional necessary engineering tasks in coming out of 
the shutdown.

Suzanne Hawley, APO 3.5m Director
Bruce Gillespie, APO Site Operations Manager


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