MOON

What To Do If the Mirror Covers Won't Open or Close

Verify which mirror cover is not opening.
Send the telescope due north or south, in the same direction as the stuck mirror cover. For example, if the northwest, north, or northeast mirror cover are stuck, tip the telescope due north. Gravity should then assist, and the stuck mirror cover should flop open.
We usually have these issues in the with the NE and NW petals.
If you're still having issues:
1. You only want to do this as a last resort
  1. You want to make sure the telescope is at stow
  2. Turn off Telescope Power, RA oilpad, whichever compressor you're using, RA preload, and DEC preload.
  3. Choose to either “Close Mirror Covers, or “Open Mirror Covers”, and while the petals are moving, turn off Console Power using the switch. The mirror cover's motion should stop.
  4. Turn on Console Power
  5. Choose to do the opposite of what you did previously; if you chose to “Close Mirror Covers”, now choose “Open Mirror Covers”, and vice-versa.
  6. They should now sync correctly. If one is still not opening try moving the telescope to gravity assist the cover like it's described above.

If you are ready to close up, and if one of the petals of the mirror covers don't close all the way, “Open Mirror Covers” again.
Tip the telescope in the main cardinal direction (N, S, E, W) at an elevation of at least 30 degrees in the same direction the leaf is stuck. For example, if the N, NW, or NE petals are stuck tip the scope north; if the E petal is stuck tip the scope east; if the W petal is stuck tip the scope west, if the S, SW, or SE petals are stuck tip the scope south. This should allow gravity and the weight of the petal itself to flop open. From there you should be able to close all the way.