2014B Gemini North Planned Shutdown

This week Gemini North began a regularly scheduled shutdown. This annual engineering shutdown allows time to perform maintenance and repairs on the telescope and all of its systems. Specific work will include maintenance and improvements of the Acquisition and Guiding module, the Cassegrain wrap, and other instruments; the information systems group will also upgrade the summit datacenter.

The scheduled Gemini North September shutdown commenced on Monday, September 8th and daytime shutdown work will continue through Monday, September 22nd. The planned first night on the sky will be the evening of Monday, September 22nd for engineering checkouts, and possible regular queue observing.”

Instrument Removal

Acquisition and Guiding (A&G) modules placed on handling carts

Removal of the white Instrument Support Structure (ISS) from telescope

Cassegrain Wrap support frame set up on ballast weight in preparation for removal