In between disruptive cryogenic events, we have a couple of days of useful time. A couple days ago, during such a time, we got some detectors up and running to do some tests. Various gadgets are attached on top of Theo, data is recorded, buttons pressed, knobs twiddled. And then science happens. […]
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A few days after Canada Day, the City of Palestine put on a fireworks show. Presumably the delay was to sort out logistics after they’d realized their error. It was fun, but I decided, for the most part, not to enjoy it via a camera. Jamil has many pictures to fill the gap. We got our own fireworks too, which is why I’ve delayed posting. Our first attempt was prematurely terminated due to using up our one lighter. Otherwise, we’ve had to vacate the west side of the highbay, we’ve split into shifts, and steady progress has continued—even regarding cryostat weirdness. Plus I nearly sat on a black widow spider. Then I took some pictures because they’re so cool looking. […]
The other day Natalie moved the boresight star camera from her desk to the gondola floor. This gave it a view of people. Portraits ensued. Natalie was kind enough to convert these to a usable format for me. […]
A few days of working hard, cryo issues, poring over data, coding, and hole drilling. As Barth is fond of saying, “Step by tedious step we stumble away from abject failure.” Very motivating. […]
Some folks have been working on the cold load cryostat. This is a black plate that’s made cold so that to Spider it looks about the same as the sky. It’s useful for detector calibration. And today, because we were busy waiting for the cryostat to cool again, we had another day off. Barth got a cheap radio-controlled airplane, and we obtained some BB guns. (The locals might laugh at our piddly weapons, but we had fun anyway. Maybe eventually we’ll ask them for access to some gunnier guns) […]
Cryo operations have hit a bit of a hiccup. Team cryo has been patiently but frantically dealing with an ice plug (nitrogen ice, or maybe water/oil/crud). Meanwhile, lots of little jobs are happening to make Spider more flight-like. And yesterday, we all got our NASA crane safety training. […]
Yesterday, Team Cryo started filling Theo with liquid helium. This is where the operation is most “cryogenically interesting”, which is a euphemism for mysterious and scary. Things that you don’t fully understand (especially now with several more telescopes installed), but can potentially cause a lot of damage. At least they happen slowly, so that you have lots of time to get tired. I’ve mostly been working on modifications to the flight computer box, with the help of Jamil and Ed. Due to somewhat high priority, I didn’t take as much time for photography as usual. […]
Yesterday we took another day off. After having brunch and relaxing for a while, we made our way to Palestine Junction Family Fun Park. To have some family fun (park). Activities included go karting, batting cages, and mini golf (which I won). Due to some quirk of my mood, I took photos only during go karting. Enjoy! […]
Last week we had a fine looking afternoon, so I decided to finally take a panorama outside the highbay. This should give a pretty good idea what our home away from home is like. (Look at larger versions, it’s got high resolution.) At the end of the week, we also filled Theo with liquid nitrogen for the first time. […]
Over the previous couple days, we worked to make Theo externally complete. The goal was to be ready to transfer the first cryogens. This included preparing vacuum/fill plumbing, preapring the cryogenic thermometer readout (aka housekeeping), and generally attaching things to Theo. Theo also had to be tipped to a lower elevation, which makes her seem a lot more like a telescope. […]