Recent photo's of CIRPASS taken May 02


Main CIRPASS assemblies in the lab at cambridge awaiting shipment.
 

The Cirpass Fore Optics. This will be mounted in the telescope ballast weight support structure.  Some panels have been removed for access. The fibre assembly mounts onto the four chrome rods on the right. The framework below the rods is temporary. It prevents damage as we move the thing about. In addition to the fibres, this assembly will also require a single phase mains supply. It also needs a single optical fibre for the camera video output and a duplex fibre for the control lines. All CIRPASS data fibres are of the ST type but we will have enough ST to SC patch cables to allow us to connect to the Gemini-S fibre lines.
 
 

Vacuum pump and nitrogen line.    The CIRPASS dewar is normally topped up with liquid nitrogen once a day and requires about 15 litres. The vacuum pump is permanently connected and runs continuously. A mains supply is required for the vacuum pump.
 
 

The cold room and electronics rack.    The door has been removed from the 19" electronoics rack. This rack requires a single phase supply, a single fibre to the control room for video and four duplex (twin fibre) lines for control and data signals.
 
 

Refrigeration Plant.    This is the 220V 60 Hz version which will probably be used in Chile (with 20% reduced cooling capacity due to the unusual electrical supply at Gemini-S). The front panel has been removed. Note the three phase input socket on the left hand side. This is a 5 pin, 32 Amp IP44 socket. We have a 5m armoured flexible cable to fit this socket. The other end of the cable is unterminated. Also visible on the right hand side above and below the plate heat exchanger are the coolant inlet and outlet pipes.
 
 

The Test Telescope.    Note the black flexible conduit trailing on the floor. This contains the 500 optical fibres which feed light into the spectrometer and would normally be attached to the Fore Optics. This assembly requires single phase mains power and is connected to the control computer via an RS232 and a USB lead. The legs are adjustable, so level ground is not essential. An unobstructed view of the sky would be a plus point, as would decent weather, good seeing and a bigger telescope!