The Mosaic II Imager (http://www.ctio.noao.edu/instruments/optical_instruments.html) is on schedule for commissioning in July and availability for general use in semester 1999B. In particular, the eight SITe 2K × 4K CCDs have been delivered, and after testing were integrated into a single focal plane by a team led by Rich Reed at NOAO (Tucson). Installation into the dewar will take place in La Serena at the end of May, followed by full system tests. In La Serena, the Arcon controllers are undergoing testing and optimization prior to the system integration. First telescope tests are scheduled for July. August scheduling will include a second engineering run and possibly shared-risk science observing (pending outcome of TAC proposal review). The schedule for commissioning this instrument is aggressive; however, we have insurance in that Tony Tyson and Gary Bernstein have agreed to the BTC being available as backup throughout the semester.
Alistair Walker (awalker@noao.edu)