Primary Mirror #2 has arrived safely in Chile! It began its long journey just outside Paris, at REOSC Optique. It was moved through Paris in mid-February on its way to the docks, where the mirror was secured in the ship CAP Blanco. Offloaded from the ship CAP Blanco in Coquimbo over the night of March 12-13th, it then successfully passed through the Puclaro Tunnel around 3am the morning of March 15th. March 16th it traveled over 30 of the last 45km to Cerro Pachon from the AURA gate, and March 17th it was successfully delivered to the Gemini South facility. On March 18th the mirror was uncovered and inspected, and it now rests safe and sound within the coating chamber in the Gemini South enclosure.
High resolution versions of each image are available from the individual image pages (select a thumbnail to view). Please also see the Press Release for this event.
 Leaving REOSC in France |
 Being secured in the barge hold |
 The transport barge on the Seine |
 In the hold in Coquimbo |
 Being removed from the hold |
 On the dock |
 Closeup on the dock |
 Passing through the Puclaro Dam Tunnel |
 On the way to Pachon |
 On the way to Pachon |
 Front view of the convoy |
 At the turnoff for Cerro Pachon |
 On the Cerro Pachon access road |
 Closeup of the convoy |
 Approaching Gemini South |
 Almost there! |
 A job well done! |
 Uncovering the mirror |
 The mirror revealed |
||
