The next several months will be exciting times at Gemini-North on Mauna Kea. First Light is expected in late December or January. As there are many systems that have to work together effectively to make this happen, there will be many milestones along the way. In the middle of October, the Gemini-North primary mirror was accepted. It is now being stored in the coating chamber in the base of the enclosure while work on the mechanical structure of the telescope proceeds. During 19-23 October, the telescope structure was tilted to the horizon. The process went well and the drives are being aligned for the first time. Related to this was the first test of the mirror support system (with the dummy mirror) in orientations other than zenith-pointing. These tests also went well. Watch for more frequent announcements on the Gemini Web site: http://www.gemini.edu.
Todd Boroson