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M. T. Adams, T. G. Barnes, J. A. Booth (U. Texas - McDonald Obs.), L. W. Ramsey (Penn. State U.)
The Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) is unique among the new generation of 8 meter class telescopes in that it establishes a new cost paradigm for large aperture science by making considered trades between cost and performance. We briefly review the HET optical design and the as-built facility. We discuss the status and performance of the major HET systems. We describe the intense commissioning period that has been underway since September 1997 and outline plans to ramp HET into science operations this coming year.