SLITS

Last update:  June 2013

Prior to February 2013, individual slit plates were slid down a ramp to the focal plane, where they were held in place by magnets.  The ramp was accessed through a door in the side of the spectrograph.

In February 2013, this system was replaced by a small, remotely controlled stage, which has space for 4 slit plates.  The observer selects the slit they will use using the COMPOSER software interface.   

A drawing of the slit mechanism is below.  A photograph of one of the slits, prior to mounting, is also shown.