This page contains descriptions of proceedures that the typical observer does not have permission to do. 
Please contact one of the telescope operators, Dennis Smith or other mountain staff to do the following.

Changing the Slit Plate
The slit plates and slit plate insertion tools are located in a large white plastic box labeled "MAESTRO Slit Plates". PHOTO

1. Practice by sliding a slit plate into the flat insertion tool until the magnets engage. Then push the slit plate out using the end of the hooked insertion tool, and pull it back in using the hooked part on the side. Get a feeling for the strength of the magnet which is engaging the slit plate in the tool. When you are done, remove the slit plate and set it aside. PHOTO

2. Remove the spectrograph cover to allow access to the slit plate area. This is the cover nearest the grey spectrograph electronics box which hangs on the side of the spectrograph. PHOTO

3. Reach in with the flat slit plate tool and line it up with the slit holder. PHOTO.

4. Use the hooked slit plate tool to grab onto the insertion screw of the slit plate, and pull the slit plate onto the flat slit plate tool. The slit plate is held in the spectrograph by 3 strong magnets so you may have to give it a tug. Be careful to pull the slit plate onto the tool and do not let the slit plate drop into the spectrograph. The flat slit plate tool has a magnet which will secure the slit plate during extraction. 5. Carefully remove the tools and remove the slit plate from the flat slit plate inserter. Be careful not to get fingerprints on the polished, aluminized part of the slit plate.

6. Wrap the slit plate in lens cloth and put it in its marked compartment in the "MAESTRO SLIT PLATES" box.

7. Remove the slit plate you want to insert, unwrap it, and place it in the flat slit inserter tool so that the magnets engage. PHOTO

8. Insert into the side of the spectrograph, and use the end of the hooked tool to push the slit into place. Be sure the magnets are engaged so that the
slit plate doesn't slide out. PHOTO.

Rebooting the maestroccd computer
The science CCD is controlled with the AZCam software running on "maestroccd" which is a headless Windows box that is located in the black electronics box on the spectrograph.

To reboot maestroccd:

1. Locate the blue plastic switch cover on the large black CCD electronics box which hangs off the side of the spectrograph. PHOTO
2. Press up the toggle switch underneath the blue switch cover, and hold it for 10 seconds.
3. Release.
4. Press the toggle switch up and release it immediately.
5. The maestroccd computer should now start the reboot process.