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Summer Shutdown 1994 (1Sep94)
(from KPNO, NOAO Newsletter No. 39, 1 September 1994)

With the excitement of the Great Comet Collision behind us, the KPNO summer
shutdown is now underway. Preparations actually began months ago, and work
will continue well into the fall. At the 4-m, we are refurbishing the
electronic and mechanical systems in the guider and instrument rotator,
repairing the secondary flip mechanism, replacing oil drain lines from the
hydrostatic bearings, realuminizing the primary mirror, refurbishing the
primary mirror support system, upgrading the computers, completing the
upgrade of the control system, and finally, repairing a damaged axial
bearing. If time permits, the KPNO Engineering staff will also replace the
mount for the declination encoder; we expect this replacement to improve the
4-m pointing accuracy in declination. In addition to major work at the 4-m,
we are implementing minor repairs and upgrades at the other domes. Of
greatest significance to observers at the 0.9-m telescope will be the
installation of vents in the dome to improve air flushing in the telescope
enclosure. We hope this to yield a substantial improvement in seeing at the
0.9-m telescope. After the telescopes reopen in late August, work will
continue at a slower pace through the fall semester. KPNO staff will support
a maintenance shutdown of the NSO facilities on Kitt Peak in early September.
We expect to aluminize the 4-m secondary mirrors in the fall, and to replace
the 0.9-m secondary mirror supports in December.

Caty Pilachowski

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