Observatory Status
July 2007
● Both 8.4m primary mirrors are installed, active control verified, coated, and
freshly washed.
● Both prime focus wide-field correctors are installed with near-final alignment.
● The Blue Large Binocular Camera on the SX (left) prime focus has provided six runs
of shared-risk observing time for partner astronomers. (See links to LBC, Publications.)
● The Telescope is shut down for July monsoons, enabling installation and
commissioning work on the SX tertiary swing arm, the hydrostatic bearing system, and
the dynamic balancing system.
● Electro-mechanical tests are underway at Microgate in Italy on the fully
integrated Adaptive Optics Secondary Unit#1.