In general, the correction has proven valid and stable. Indeed, the lack of evolution of the problem may in itself be a further clue as to its nature. The date of first occurrence of the problem, however, is still unknown. One concientious observer has submitted evidence that it may have been present as early as July 1996. The aforementioned tracking experiments will become regular features of the Pointing project henceforth.
Engineering plans to replace the central bearing are in progress.
The welding of the track joints was completed on June 05. Since then, and particularly before and after a central bearing load adjustment in August, regular inclinometry measures of the track have kept that part of the pointing model updated. These changes are as yet unpredictable. Thermal effects upon the elevation pointing became obvious as a result of daytime openings of the building, often noticeable during, but not exclusively caused by, daytime observing of comet Hale-Bopp. A simple correction to nighttime pointing, based upon the mean temperature of the antenna, was sometimes possible, although the problem was clearly more complicated, possibly being a function of the specific recent thermal history of the antenna.