MagAO-eXtreme Posts

Another MagAO-X run in the books. Overall a successful one too. We got lots of new stuff working, and had several very good nights with some exciting discoveries. Great work folks. Now get to work on your data and maybe you’ll get a PhD. This was one of the few times, however, ...

If you take a step back and really think about it, the way we celebrate birthdays is pretty weird. Wearing a conical paper hat? Lighting a small fire atop some food and then immediately blowing it out? Sitting awkwardly while everyone in a room sings to you? If you think a little too hard about ...

I regret to inform you, dear readers, that things did not get better. This is not a happy story. Your brave AO operators do not triumph over the atmosphere, because… well it’s a natural phenomenon with a mean streak. We don’t pull an underdog move, miraculously rally, and through the power of friendship get phenomenal ...

Much Strehl that once was is lost, for none now observe who remember it. It began with the forging of the Great Weather forecast. Dark clouds were given to the day crew, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Dark clouds were also given to the astronomers, great miners and craftsmen of the starry nights. ...

Hello guys, is me again eh eh. It’s very good to see you!! I was not here for your last run so I kind of missed you. Happy despite the clouds. This run in particular felt a bit weird because you’ve been here for such a loooong time. I met the first shift and the new team members ...

At the usual Chilean diner Satisfying our guac desires, Huge chips to dip at hand To face a long night ahead.  “My comrade won’t join tonight” Said Sebastiaan with a sigh, “I shall bring him food at once, For EFC to have a chance”.  As he ordered a full plate “His name is Josh”, he said. Yorch Clay – wrote the chef, For he did not understand. Then ...

Today the honour of blogging is all mine (Matthijs). A few of us went up before dinner to start preparing for a busy night full of experimental engineering observations (in particular Sebastiaan after he had stayed up until 10.30am to align VisX again). During daylight we of course managed to enjoy the company of some ...

Tonight was another Laird night which means more of our favorite target, PDS 70! Could PDS 70 have alien life? Will we find a new planet? Are the answers to these questions always ‘no’? Who’s to say. We will get back to the PDS 70 excitement shortly, but first, a recap of the day’s festivities: Team Leiden is ready ...

A big hello to the GREAT MegAO-X team, great in every way… It’s a well-prepared, friendly, and numerous group. It was really nice working with you, especially the music chosen for the announcements of the program.Thank you for the conversations, il sottobicchiere, and the stickers. You still have a few night, keep up, all for ...

We are happy to report the successful and uneventful homecomings of the first half of our observing crew. Uneventful in that none was stranded in a city they didn’t mean to be in. Successful in that they ended in the warm embraces of various roommate species. Farewell Joseph! Sir Alexander reclaims territory. And we were all jealous. Delta ...