The 61" telescope operated by the Steward Observatory of the University of Arizona lies at an elevation of 8230 feet on Mount Bigelow in the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. (The Catalina Schmidt is also located at the Mt. Bigelow site.) It was built in the early 1960's to survey the Moon in preparation for the upcoming lunar spacecraft missions. The site met the dual requirements of fine seeing and easy access from the University (a one-hour drive). The atlas of the Moon thus produced has been called "the finest ground-based photographic lunar survey ever done" by Sky & Telescope magazine. The 61" is dear to present-day observers for its fine optics as well as its cozy dormitory reminiscent of a ski lodge and the spectacular views it offers. Astronomers from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University compete for observing time on the telescope.

The telescope has an f/13.5 secondary for visible-wavelength observations (10 arcsec/mm) with a 2kx2k CCD and an f/45 secondary for infrared observations (3 arcsec/mm) with a 256x256 HgCdTe detector. The f/45 secondary is small enough to allow rapid guiding without vibrating the spiders.

at the 61"...

• The Mont4K has been taken to ITL for its annual checkup. The instrument will be available for use again at the end of the SHUTDOWN period at the end of 2009 August.

• There is a new alarm code now activated at the 61". Please make sure that you contact Mountain Operations to learn the new code before your next observing run.

• The BigGuider autoguider has now been commissioned for general use at the Kuiper Telescope. The guiding system allows for long exposures using the Mont4K CCD imager. Please see the BigGuider manual for details on its capabilities and operation.

• IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OBSERVERS: The Mont4K (a 4Kx4K device) is the facility imager. Observers wishing to do future imaging projects using the Kuiper telescope should make arrangements to be certified to operate the new instrument well before their anticipated observing run. Contact Betsy Green (egreen@as.arizona.edu) to find out more information about Mont4K and to make arrangements to be certified to use the instrument.

• LATE ARRIVING OBSERVERS: If you arrive at the observatory after dark, you are REQUIRED to turn off your headlights after proceeding past the gate! Careless, observers arriving late have ruined several observations. Please remember that you are not the only observer on Mt. Bigelow. If you are unable to disable the daylight running lights of your vehicle (usually accomplished by very lightly engaging the parking brake), you are required to park in a location OUTSIDE of the gate that does not obstruct traffic and walk the rest of the way to the dome (remembering that you are risking being ticketed by the Forest Service in this location). Of course, showing up and actually being ready to observe BEFORE it gets dark is the best way to avoid being a nuisance to other observers.

• Observers needing keys to the facility now need to see Kelly Merrill in Room 358 (621-7659; kmerrill@as.arizona.edu). If Kelly is not available, keys can be checked out by observers from Room N204 (see Michelle Cournoyer; 621-2288; mcournoy@as.arizona.edu). Please make sure that you promptly return borrowed keys after the end of your run.

• Observers are able to connect their personal computers to the network via 10/100baseT Ethernet DHCP connectors installed at the 61".

• Often, there are changes made to the published telescope schedules to better accommodate scheduled observers. If you are interested in applying for TBS time, please consult the updated web version of the Steward Observatory telescope schedule to choose appropriate open nights.