![](arizonamapsmall.jpg) |
The
Whipple Observatory
on Mt. Hopkins is the site of the northern 2MASS telescope.
|
![](siteoverviewsmall.jpg) |
while this is a view
of the site from above. The 2MASS
telescope enclosure is the third dome from the left. |
![](truck1small.jpg) |
First the two main
pieces of the telescope are loaded
on a truck, waiting to go up the mountain. |
![](truck2small.jpg) |
Then the truck caries
them (carefully!) up the
moutain... |
![](truck3small.jpg) |
and up... |
![](truck4small.jpg) |
and finally backs
them up to a crane at the telescope
dome. |
![](crane1small.jpg) |
The crane is then
used to lift the first piece through
the dome slit... |
![](indome1small.jpg) |
and bring it inside
the dome. |
![](crane2small.jpg) |
This is followed by
the main telescope body... |
![](crane3small.jpg) |
It wasn't immediately
obvious that the tube would fit through the dome opening. |
![](crane4small.jpg) |
which is also brought
inside... |
![](crane5small.jpg) |
Wade Poteet unhooking
the crane. |
![](indome2small.jpg) |
Positioning the
horseshoe on the right ascension roller bearings. |
![](indome3small.jpg) |
where all the pieces
must be put back together. |
![](lif_fixsmall.jpg) |
Wade Poteet and Ed
Hileman make final preparations are made before removing the dummy
mirror. |
![](mirr_celsmall.jpg) |
The primary mirror is
supported by thin invar rods projecting from a Wiffle Tree. |
![](liftingsmall.jpg) |
Wade Poteet and Dan
Neff holding the primary mirror lifting fixture. |
![](lift_mirsmall.jpg) |
Wade Poteet lifting
the primary mirror from its storage box. |