All systems are go! That said, some systems are able to take data, but not at their full capabilities.
BSM_Hamren has a broken main camera. Mike Linnolt has a temporary replacement and has sent the ST-8XME to SBIG for repair. Right now, Mike is running V-band only, though he may get the replacement camera's filter wheel working. The ST-8XME will probably return in about a month.
TMO61 is using a spare QSI-583 camera with only BVRI filters. The main camera, a QSI-683, was stolen, and we are dealing with insurance companies in an attempt to get it replaced.
We will be doing a trial spectroscopy run with TMO61 in about a week, so during a ~3 night period, no imaging will be taken.
We've ordered a focal reducer for OC61 to get better throughput with the eShel spectrograph. Once that reducer arrives at Mt. John and is installed by Nigel Frost, we will be taking a few days to test the modified system. Our hopes are that we will get ~2 magnitudes better throughput.
Arne
Arne,
What about snapshot imaging with OC61? I haven't received any images from this scope since 9/9! Will the focal reducer be used for spectroscopy only?
Bob