{"id":632,"date":"2010-03-24T00:35:19","date_gmt":"2010-03-24T04:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/galadriel.astro.utoronto.ca\/ballast\/?p=632"},"modified":"2010-03-24T00:36:21","modified_gmt":"2010-03-24T04:36:21","slug":"blast-cryostat-arrives-and-is-undressed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?p=632","title":{"rendered":"BLAST Cryostat Arrives, and Gets Undressed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Last week the BLAST cryostat arrived to begin the first full(-ish) integration of BLASTpol. Upon arrival it was undressed and bore its tender bits, to have travel legs replaced with thermally isolating ones. Also the HWPR (pronounced &#8220;hooper&#8221;, despite what Natalie may say about whatever the &#8220;whipper&#8221; is) had to be removed and sent immediately to Cardiff. The opening of the cryostat and optics box is an exciting moment, so Juan and I took a lot of pictures.<\/p>\n<p>Matt and Tony arrived with the cryostat, and Nick had been here for a little while already.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-632 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=635'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1974-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-635\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1974-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1974-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1974-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-635'>\n\t\t\t\tThe cryostat is first flipped upside-down to access the bottom bits\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=636'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1975-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-636\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1975-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1975-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1975-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-636'>\n\t\t\t\tIt&#8217;s hat is lifted off by the crane\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=664'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2045-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-664\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2045-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2045-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2045-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-664'>\n\t\t\t\t&#8230;only to hang ominously in midair\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=637'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1977-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-637\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1977-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1977-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1977-682x1024.jpg 682w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1977.jpg 1664w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-637'>\n\t\t\t\tMatt removes a layer of insulation to reveal&#8230;more insulation\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=638'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1979-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-638\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1979-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1979-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1979-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-638'>\n\t\t\t\tNick vs. medium-sized gloves. Winner: Nick\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=639'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1980-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-639\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1980-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1980-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1980-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-639'>\n\t\t\t\tTo remove further insulation requires detaching thermometers\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=640'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1987-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-640\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1987-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1987-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1987-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-640'>\n\t\t\t\tNick and Matt share a moment\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=641'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1989-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-641\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1989-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1989-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1989-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-641'>\n\t\t\t\tAfter several Russian nesting dolls of insulation, the excitement builds\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=642'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1990-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-642\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1990-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1990-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1990-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-642'>\n\t\t\t\t&#8230;and builds\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=643'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1992-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-643\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1992-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1992-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1992-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-643'>\n\t\t\t\t&#8230;until the optics box is revealed\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=644'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1993-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-644\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1993-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1993-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1993-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-644'>\n\t\t\t\tOn one side: a cryo BOB and fancy woven-manganin cables\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=645'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1999-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-645\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1999-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1999-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1999-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-645'>\n\t\t\t\tCloseup of wiring\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=646'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2000-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-646\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2000-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2000-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2000-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-646'>\n\t\t\t\tCloseup of Cryo BOB\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=647'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1994-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-647\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1994-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1994-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1994-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-647'>\n\t\t\t\tOn the front, the vacuum window\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=648'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1996-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-648\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1996-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1996-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1996-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-648'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd on the other side, the fridge\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=649'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1997-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-649\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1997-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1997-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1997-682x1024.jpg 682w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_1997.jpg 1664w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-649'>\n\t\t\t\tAnd at the back a leg. It&#8217;s aluminum for travel, but is replaced to be more thermally isolating\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=650'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2001-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-650\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2001-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2001-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2001-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-650'>\n\t\t\t\tAnother travel leg\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=651'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2006-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-651\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2006-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2006-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2006-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-651'>\n\t\t\t\tThe optics box has a special removable platform to be opened onto\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=652'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2005-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-652\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2005-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2005-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2005-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-652'>\n\t\t\t\tBefore it can be opened, some pesky bolts must be removed\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=653'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2007-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-653\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2007-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2007-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2007-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-653'>\n\t\t\t\tThe optics box is carefully tipped onto its platform\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=654'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2010-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-654\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2010-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2010-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2010-682x1024.jpg 682w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2010.jpg 1664w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-654'>\n\t\t\t\tInside is a black space, with the HWPR beneath\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=655'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2013-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-655\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2013-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2013-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2013-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-655'>\n\t\t\t\tCloseup of the HWPR\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=656'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2015-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-656\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2015-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2015-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2015-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-656'>\n\t\t\t\tInside the optics box can be seen cables and the base of M4 (with Lyot stop)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=657'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2023-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-657\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2023-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2023-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2023-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-657'>\n\t\t\t\tOn the top side (opened to find a bolt that had rattled loose during shipping) can be seen M5 and the dichroic filters\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=658'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2030-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-658\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2030-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2030-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2030-682x1024.jpg 682w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2030.jpg 1664w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-658'>\n\t\t\t\tNick vs. sticking metal legs. Winner: metal legs\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=659'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2033-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-659\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2033-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2033-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2033-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-659'>\n\t\t\t\tA detector array (500um) and feed-horn stack\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=661'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2040-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-661\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2040-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2040-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2040-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-661'>\n\t\t\t\tThe other (250um, 350um) arrays, and their alignment mirrors\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=662'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2043-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-662\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2043-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2043-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2043-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-662'>\n\t\t\t\tThe optics box, as seen by submm light\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=663'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2044-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-663\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2044-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2044-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2044-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-663'>\n\t\t\t\tThe whole front side revealed (that loose bolt was awfully tricky)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=665'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2048-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-665\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2048-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2048-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2048-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-665'>\n\t\t\t\tNear the cryostat&#8217;s eventual new home: the preamp crate\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=666'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2049-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-666\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2049-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2049-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2049-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-666'>\n\t\t\t\tThe DAS, below the preamp on their lab rack\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=667'><img width=\"100\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2050-100x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-667\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2050-100x150.jpg 100w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2050-200x300.jpg 200w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2050-682x1024.jpg 682w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2050.jpg 1664w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-667'>\n\t\t\t\tThe preamp and DAS together: the brains of BLAST (the ACS is the heart)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=668'><img width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2052-150x100.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-668\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2052-150x100.jpg 150w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2052-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2052-1024x682.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-668'>\n\t\t\t\tUnrelated arts and crafts: I had to make lens caps for star camera baffles. Turns out frisbees we had lying around are the perfect size\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/?attachment_id=669'><img width=\"99\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2055-99x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-669\" srcset=\"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2055-99x150.jpg 99w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2055-199x300.jpg 199w, http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/ballast\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/img_2055.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 99px) 100vw, 99px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-669'>\n\t\t\t\tI climb the front of the inner frame to cap the star camera (courtesy Matt Truch, via flickr)\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last week the BLAST cryostat arrived to begin the first full(-ish) integration of BLASTpol. Upon arrival it was undressed and bore its tender bits, to have travel legs replaced with thermally isolating ones. Also the HWPR (pronounced &#8220;hooper&#8221;, despite what Natalie may say about whatever the &#8220;whipper&#8221; is) had to be removed and sent immediately [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9,10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=632"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":674,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632\/revisions\/674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/droppingballast.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}