Periodically, telescopes need to have their mirrors cleaned and coated with a new layer of shiny aluminum. Here are some photos of the removal of the 24″ mirror and preparation to ship it off for re-aluminizing on May 9th, 2013.
The telescope backplane with all instruments removed.
Astronomy professor Seth Redfield and Bruce Strickland from the Wes science machine shop move the lift into place for lowering the mirror cell.
Dave Strickland from the science machine shop aligns the lift. The mirror cell rests on metal cylinders as it is lowered from the telescope.
Dave Strickland removes the central tube from the 24″ mirror cell.
The mirror cell rests on blocks as we prepare to remove the mirror itself.
The 24″ mirror. As you can see, the surface looks a bit dirty.
One last look at the mirror before we seal it in its box.