The Reflector Is Up

As promised, the reflector has been placed on the telescope. This is one of the major milestones on the path to first light. It was a complicated two-crane lift (three if you count the one carrying people up to bolt the reflector down), and it was managed beautifully by Raytheon's Eric Nichols and Bill Johnson. As you can see from the mini-gallery below, it went off without a hitch, and we now have a darned impressive looking telescope --- just some testing and a camera away from mapping the sky.

The lift begins.


Docking the flying saucer.


Steve P., Joaquin, and Tim Hughes prepare to enter the belly of the beast (to attach the reflector center hub to the telescope).


As Bill Johnson and Aaron Thompson look on, the last of Steve disappears into the maw.


Ryan, Jeff, and I look on as the crane gently lowers the reflector into just the right place. (Photo credit: Jerry Marty)


The reflector in place, Eric Nichols and Brian Hardin fasten up the bolts that Bill and Aaron can't reach.


The telescope, facing the horizon (grid south), seen from the roof of DSL.


The telescope, facing the horizon (grid east), seen from the roof of DSL.