Contributions by Gemini staff
News for Users
Thermal noise in FLAMINGOS-2 has been returned to normal
levels; fixes are on the way for the GMOS-South Hamamatsu
CCDs; and Gemini mask-making software has been made more
effective and user friendly for both Gemini South and North.
Also, at Gemini North, an independent report on the dome
shutter failures is due in July.
Guarding Against Future Shutter Failures
As Gemini Observatory and its users are both painfully aware, Gemini North lost a large
amount of time in 2013B and 2014A due to two dome shutter failures. Since those events,
we have carried out internal engineering
studies, which resulted in a redesign of parts
of the shutter drive gearboxes, and have procured spares (Figure 1) to speed the recovery
process from a future similar failure, should
one occur.
Also, we have engaged an external contractor to carry out a completely independent
study of the dome and its mechanisms, to
ensure that nothing is missed. Request for
Bids for this consulting work was released in
the early part of 2015, and Dynamic Structures was awarded the consulting contract
in March.
July 2015
Figure 1.
A fully assembled,
spare shutter gearbox
at Gemini North.
Redesigned torque
arms are at the top of
the assembly.
GeminiFocus
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