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CTIO Instrumentation (1Sep92)
(from CTIO, NOAO Newsletter No. 31, 1 September 1992)

Several of our large projects have made progress during the last
quarter. The 4-m dome venting project is nearing completion and should
in fact be done by the time this issue of the Newsletter appears. Most
of our projects for improving dome seeing are being finished, and we
are now concentrating on improving the 4-m optics; our plan for this is
discussed in an accompanying article.

The development of the prototype array controller (Arcon 2.1) is now
completed, and we are now proceeding with re- packaging and production
(Arcon 3), as outlined below. The completion of the prototype means
that we are able to re- open the Curtis Schmidt for CCD observations,
albeit for a limited number of nights (30 per semester). This policy is
also explained below.

In other areas, mechanical work on the new PFCCD unit is proceeding.
While we expect that this instrument will be available during the
coming semester, we cannot guarantee availability.  Prospective
observers should therefore write proposals based on the properties of
the existing PFCCD.

Work at the prime focus will also be affected by completion of the new
corrector. The individual elements have all been fabricated, and should
soon be cemented, after which they will be shipped to Chile for
mechanical assembly and testing.

Jay Elias

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