First Time Flipping the Top Ring of the Blanco 4-m Telescope

The first engineering run on the Blanco with the f/8 assembly started Monday, June 24. A lot of careful planning and review has gone into this effort, which is the first full exercise of the interface between the f/8 secondary assembly and the DECam prime focus cage. This initial engineering run will be carried out entirely with the dummy mirror in place; the objectives are to verify all handling procedures and interfaces and to perform an initial mechanical aligment that will simplify the final optical alignment of the secondary during the next block of engineering time in August.

Here is a link to a video of the first full flip of the prime focus cage (120 degree motion).

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ncJ4BN9Hw

Below is a photo of the secondary assembly installed on the handler. Note that what is visible is the back of the assembly, where it will attach to the prime focus cage.