The cold load cryostat has been getting prepped for use. 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 characterization.
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 also 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.)
![Cold load cryostat Cold load cryostat • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181022414/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5550/9181022414_00e346ab02_m.jpg)
Cold load cryostat
Instead of cooling detectors, it cools a black plate. This is similar to how the sky looks to Spider
![Cold load closer Cold load closer • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9178808463/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2858/9178808463_8c2aab34a6_m.jpg)
Cold load closer
It's purpose is to fool the detectors into thinking they're looking at the sky
![Ziggy sorts filters Ziggy sorts filters • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181024288/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5473/9181024288_5499880df1_m.jpg)
Ziggy sorts filters
For keeping the cold load cold
![Ed installs filters Ed installs filters • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9178810201/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm8.static.flickr.com/7297/9178810201_6f4a691928_m.jpg)
Ed installs filters
![Circuit-cleaning baby toothbrushes Circuit-cleaning baby toothbrushes • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181026098/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3766/9181026098_b22a6a1f91_m.jpg)
Circuit-cleaning baby toothbrushes
Anne demonstrates their use. I got to try them earlier, but don't have a picture of myself
![Laika Laika • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9178811725/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5341/9178811725_08ea7170eb_m.jpg)
Laika
Because who doesn't like more dog
![Ziggy takes aim with the new Daisy air rifle Ziggy takes aim with the new Daisy air rifle • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9178812765/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2841/9178812765_0dd9e6a9f0_m.jpg)
Ziggy takes aim with the new Daisy air rifle
He was the first to do so in good light
![No satisfied, Bill got a CO2-powered semi-automatic BB pistol No satisfied, Bill got a CO2-powered semi-automatic BB pistol • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181028492/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5476/9181028492_df6d3e31ea_m.jpg)
No satisfied, Bill got a CO2-powered semi-automatic BB pistol
Also, notice Peace Corps shirt
![Jamil shoots Jamil shoots • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181029338/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3825/9181029338_74bb2cc30d_m.jpg)
Jamil shoots
When shooting, Jamil projects a distortion field that keeps him out of focus. I have much evidence of this...
![Jon looking cool Jon looking cool • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9178815265/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5441/9178815265_8b7f19f90c_m.jpg)
Jon looking cool
![Jon takes aim Jon takes aim • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9178815931/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3768/9178815931_02b7c6beed_m.jpg)
Jon takes aim
He was quite good at this
![Anti-aircraft Bill Anti-aircraft Bill • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9178816717/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2822/9178816717_c8a3544ba8_m.jpg)
Anti-aircraft Bill
Shot down the RC airplane
![Barth Barth's RC airplane (now with more holes) • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9178817399/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm8.static.flickr.com/7387/9178817399_db80b7ffbb_m.jpg)
Barth's RC airplane (now with more holes)
He's not so sad about the damage
![Anne prepares for target practice Anne prepares for target practice • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181033868/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2894/9181033868_bbdb305d18_m.jpg)
Anne prepares for target practice
![Professor-student target-toppling race Professor-student target-toppling race • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181034708/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5493/9181034708_fbb77ca7e1_m.jpg)
Professor-student target-toppling race
Aiming at tennis balls on top of pylons
![Pumping required Pumping required • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181035738/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2872/9181035738_dabdf45d42_m.jpg)
Pumping required
Making the rifle much slower. But increased accuracy means Anne still won the race
![Jamil and his distortion field Jamil and his distortion field • <a style="font-size:0.8em;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27717602@N03/9181037254/" target="_blank">View on Flickr</a>](https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5328/9181037254_9539f20bcc_m.jpg)
Jamil and his distortion field
Now with a laser sight
Forza Spider!