There have been very few things about this trip that resemble a “normal” MagAO-X run. For starters, there’s only two of us (no need to assemble the mega table on the patio!), and today was our first and only full day at the observatory. Thankfully, getting the system started up and in full working order went about as smoothly as we could have hoped for. So, in celebration of our instrument coming back online, here are some other snapshots from our atypical day:
What’s cooler than cool? Ice cold!
September is winter down here, and that came with snow-capped peaks in the distance and a frozen windshield in the morning. Pro tip: a cup of hot water will thaw out that windshield for approximately 80% of the drive to the cleanroom, after which it will begin to freeze again. Oh, and if the heater in your dorm room happens to not work, well, you better hope you packed enough layers.
The filters on the wheel go round and round
The ND filter wheel in front of the science cameras stopped working a while back, even before the mountain got buried in snow. We had some theories why, but as soon as we opened it up and took a look, there was a pretty obvious break in the O-ring. We changed it out for a spare, and the whole problem was solved in less than 20 minutes, which never happens when you’re dealing with optomechanics.
Cosas Chilenas
The lodge is currently decked out with tons of Chile-themed decor to celebrate the national holiday on the 18th! Plus, the water in the library kitchen had us posing philosophical questions such as: is Benedictino truly Benedictino if it is sin gaz? Why are all the other water jugs on the mountain a different brand? Why does the label not fit? Truly one of life’s great mysteries.
Grassy knolls
I cannot express how absolutely bizarre it is that there is grass growing up here. Green grass! In the Atacama Desert! One would think that this would make LCO even more of a paradise for a guanaco or a burro or a humble viscacha, but they are nowhere to be found. In fact, other than the singular burro blocking the road on our way up and a handful of birds here and there, I haven’t seen a single animal on this whole trip. I guess when the valley is warmer and greener than the observatory, there’s no reason to make the trek. And I thought we were friends.
Constants
Despite all this weirdness, the snow and the lake and the traveling-twice-as-long-as-we-stay, some things never change. I still got sunburnt on my run even though I wore sunscreen. The food was still excellent, the roadside mirrors are still covered in bird poop, and the wi-fi still connects automatically. As always, the sun went down with a bit of dramatic flare. And tonight left us with one more surprise – the viscachas may be hiding, but even in the dead of winter the stars can’t help but peek out from behind the clouds.
