Today we moved our Adaptive Secondary Mirror (ASM), including our 1.6 mm thick 85 cm wide fragile thin shell, up to the aux building between the telescopes. Needless to say, it was an exciting time.
The ASM is stored on a handling cart specifically designed for this tripThe entire trip was under the watchful gaze of Armando the ASM guruEmilio is paying out the come-along, a device used to make sure the ASM is always under controlHere the ASM is leaving the cleanroomMiguel operating the come-along
Here’s a video of the cart being pushed and pulled onto the truck:
The ASM on the truckAdvisor and student share some shadeLaird and Katie are attaching a cover to prevent the sun from reflecting off our shell and melting something/someoneHere is the ASM all strapped down, and just beginning its journey to the topLaird held the ASM's hand all the way to the topThe MagAO ASM arriving at ClayThe come-along was used at the top too.The loading dock was specially adjusted to keep our shell safe
Other stuff got done today too.
Alan and Tyson finished installing our new cable management system today.
This guides the cable through the hole in the deck as our instrument rotates
Here it is in action, demonstrated by the lovely Tyson:
After dinner Marco and Armando went up to Clay to begin preparing to power up the ASM electronics tomorrow.
Armando and Marco opening the ASM electronics rack.
Derek Kopon (Arizona/Heidelberg) and Marco Xompero (Arcetri) arrived today. The dining hall is getting full!
quotes of the day:
Frank Perez: “Ok, who’s in charge”
Laird Close: “Well…I guess I am.”
“It can be disconcerting at first, but you’ll get used to it” (Povilas Palunas)
“Sometimes I wonder who’s the student and who’s the director here.” (Laird Close)
For today’s operation we broke out the steel toes. There was some question about style vs. function. In the end, style won. A skeptical Alan tests Katie's safety shoes, which are somewhat pinker than the norm around here
I managed to get close enough to this little guy today:
