Technicians prepare to remove bottom of telescope (TUB).
Technicians prepare to remove TUB.
Mirror handling platform is rolled under telecope.
Mirror handling platform is rolled under telescope.
Technicians unbolt TUB from mirror cell.
Technicians lower TUB from mirror cell.
TUB being slid out of way on mirror handling platform.
Bottom of 3-m mirror cell.
Crane being attached to TUB.
Crane being attached to TUB.
TUB being moved out of way to mezzanine.
TUB being moved out of way to mezzanine.
TUB being moved out of way to mezzanine.
Open ports in side of mirror cell allow access to bolt that hold
counter weights on telescope.
Moving counter weights out of way with crane.
Cranking up mirror 0.1 inches to release pressure on weights.
Dropping 3-m mirror cell from telescope.
Dropping 3-m mirror cell from telescope.
Dropping 3-m mirror cell from telescope.
Dropping 3-m mirror cell from telescope.
Moving mirror out from under telescope.
Inspecting mirror condition and removing aluminum shielding from sides.
Removing weights from mirror supports.
Inspecting mirror condition and preparing to mount brackets to mirror handling platform.
Removing tape from edge of mirror and removing weights from mirror cell.
View of telescope structure and secondary mirror with no primary mirror.
View of telescope structure and secondary mirror with no primary mirror.
Lowering mirror supports.
Lowering mirror supports.
Lowering mirror supports.
Lowering mirror supports.
Drain installed in 3-m mirror hole.
Preparing mirror for washing.
Rinsing mirror.
Rinsing mirror.
Washing mirror with mild soap solution.
Washing mirror with mild soap solution.
Measuring reflectivity.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution. Honeycomb glass structure
becoming visible.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution. Honeycomb glass structure
becoming visible.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution. Honeycomb glass structure
becoming visible.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution. Honeycomb glass structure
becoming visible.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution. Honeycomb glass structure
visible.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution. Honeycomb glass structure
visible.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution. Honeycomb glass structure
visible.
Removing aluminum coating with HCl solution. Honeycomb glass structure
visible.
Cleaning glass surface with calcium carbonate and KOH.
Cleaning glass surface with calcium carbonate and KOH.
Cleaning glass surface with calcium carbonate and KOH.
Rinsing glass with water.
Rinsing glass with water.
Drying glass before covering with protective cellophane for the night.
Glass ready for transport to aluminizing chamber.
Dome floor opened up to reveal red aluminizing chamber below.
Aluminizing chamber as viewed from above.
Counter weights on mirror handling platform.
Removing the cylinders that define the X-Y position of mirror in cell.
Removing the cylinders that define the X-Y position of mirror in cell.
Aluminizing chamber open and ready for glass.
Electrode loaded with aluminum 'staples'.
Tipping the mirror handling platform to hang glass in sling for
transport to aluminizing chamber.
Tipping the mirror handling platform to hang glass in sling for
transport to aluminizing chamber.
Tipping the mirror handling platform to hang glass in sling for
transport to aluminizing chamber.
Tipping the mirror handling platform to hang glass in sling for
transport to aluminizing chamber.
Tipping the mirror handling platform to hang glass in sling for
transport to aluminizing chamber.
Tipping the mirror handling platform to hang glass in sling for
transport to aluminizing chamber.
Tipping the mirror handling platform to hang glass in sling for
transport to aluminizing chamber.
Releasing glass from support structure.
Releasing glass from support structure.
Releasing glass from support structure.
Mirror support.
Glass being moved by crane to aluminizing chamber.
Glass being moved by crane to aluminizing chamber.
Glass being moved by crane to aluminizing chamber.
Glass being moved by crane to aluminizing chamber.
Glass being moved by crane to aluminizing chamber.
Glass being moved by crane to aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Glass being lowered into aluminizing chamber.
Final cleaning with very pure alchohol.
Final cleaning with very pure alchohol.
Final cleaning with very pure alchohol.
Final cleaning with very pure alchohol.
Final cleaning with very pure alchohol.
Aluminizing is done and mirror protected by cellophane.
Replacing o-rings in back of mirror.
Replacing o-rings in back of mirror.
Lifting mirror out of aluminizing tank.
Returning mirror to mirror cell.
Returning mirror to mirror cell.
Returning mirror to mirror cell.
Returning mirror to mirror cell.
Aligning mirror with mirror cell.
Aligning mirror with mirror cell.
Aligning mirror with mirror cell.
Aligning mirror with mirror cell.
Aligning mirror with mirror cell.
Tilting mirror back to horizontal.
Tilting mirror back to horizontal.
Tilting mirror back to horizontal.
Reflections of dome lights from mirror onto wall.
Final check of alignment of mirror with mirror cell.
Preparing mirror for return to telescope.
Taping cardboard to edge of mirror.
Attaching foil thermal shield to mirror.
Attaching foil thermal shield to mirror.
Now that the hard work is done, Dave Hilyard does an Abe Lincoln
impression with the mirror light baffle.
Darrell Severisen carefully places the light baffle in the center
of the mirror.
Darrell Severisen carefully places the light baffle in the center
of the mirror.
The Aluminizing Crew (from left):
Jeff Lewis, John Morey, Bob Owen, Kostas Chloros, Darrell Severinsen,
Terry Pfister, Matt Thompson, Kris Miller, Bill Brown, Jim Ward,
Dick Kanto, Keith Baker
Not Pictured: Dave Hilyard, Brian Dupraw, Wayne Earthman