T. Ingerson (tingerson@noao.edu)
The new 400-mm Hydra camera and Site 2K x 4K CCD combination is scheduled for final commissioning during the engineering run of March 23-24, 2000. Barring mishap, we expect that this combination will be ready for visitor use after that date and will replace the Air Schmidt/Loral system currently in use. When the new camera is ready, the efficiency, resolution, and number of fibers that can be used with Hydra will increase significantly. We can't promise anything until the new system is actually working, but things look good. Scheduled users of Hydra and proposers for future use should be sure to check the CTIO Hydra WWW page for the current status of the instrument before making plans.