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CPT, ELP 1m telescopes; FLOYDS calibration fiber

Jun 3, 2020

The 1m telescope in Dome A at SAAO was released for science observations on May 27. We will soon be testing a focus correction algorithm on that telescope, which will take it out of the schedule intermittently (a few hours on a few nights), but in general, the telescope is available for science. Also at SAAO, the Dome C telescope went offline on May 31 because the mount interface computer was unresponsive. That problem was fixed today, and the telescope is available again tonight.

At McDonald Observatory in Texas, the 1m telescope in Dome A was taken offline on May 22 because of low brake pressure. The problem was a failed air compressor. That compressor was fixed this morning, and (following checkout) we expect the telescope to be cleared for science observations tonight.

As a reminder: We update the status of all telescopes several times per week on the LCO website's Network Status page.

At Haleakala Observatory, a new fiber for FLOYDS calibrations was recently installed. (The new fiber is a prerequisite for the installation of the MuSCAT3 instrument later this year.) Beginning yesterday (June 2), light from the calibration lamps is fed through the fiber. Our instrumentation team reports that the illumination of the slit has shifted slightly. They will adjust the fiber position, but there should be no effect on processing of FLOYDS spectra. If you get FLOYDS spectra from the Haleakala 2m telescope and notice problems, please report them to science-support@lco.global.