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November
21:
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The
green card with lots of wires coming off of it is
called the gyroscope card. It is part of the electronics
that controls the movement of the telescope.
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This
is a closeup of the bottom payload on the balloon.
Inside the cylinder is a computer (it doesn't look
very much like a regular computer, does it?). This
computer stores all the data we collect onto to disks.
Also, it handles all communication (giving and receiving
of commands) between the telescope, the satellite,
and our lab on the ground. The cylinder itself is
called the pressure jacket. Computers are designed
to work at around sea level. Our balloon will go much
much higher so we have to protect it in the higher
altitude (airplanes do the same thing to protect people!). |
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Some
things that help build and fix TopHat
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As
you can imagine, it is impossible to get spare parts
in Antarctica. To avoid any potential mishaps, we
must bring everything we need or even might need
with us.
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Our
trusty toolbox.
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Peeking
inside the toolbox, we can see just a few of the
different types of tools we use.
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People
at work
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| Here
is Steve (my boss) working on the telescope. |
People
working on computers.
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You
wouldn't believe how much time went into the making
and maintaining of this. Lots of evenings and weekends
have been put into the telescope.
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Me
working, inside and out.
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| November
14 and 15: |
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Driving
out on the Delta was slow, but not as slow as
some of the track vehicles.
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Can
you tell I'm a little obsessed with Mount Erebus?
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Here
is more of the scenery surrounding Happy Camper
School. These are different views of the same ice
formation. Neato, huh?
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The
big black rock in the center of the picture is called
Castle Rock. It is possible to hike out there, although
it is a long haul. |
It's
really hard to see, but at the center of picture,
there is something green. Don't be fooled, it's
not plant life, but Scott Base! The base is run
by New Zealand and is only about 3 miles from McMurdo.
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| Me
in front of a smoking Erebus. |
Do
I look warm?
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Here
the group is dumping our gear and getting settled
for the upcoming night.
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This
is the first tent we built, the Scott tent. Behind
it you can see our Quinzhee.
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You
can see here the progression of our snow-brick wall.
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now completed the snow brick wall and have moved on
to building the expedition tents inside. I think the
snow bricks look suspiciously like sugar cubes... |
From
this hole, we empty the Quinzhee of its gear. |
Once
it is cleared, this will be the wind-sheltered entrance
to my "home". |
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Various
stages of trenches being built. These one-person
shelters were cold!
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Photo
opportunity from the inside of a Quinzhee. This Quinzhee
has a much higher ceiling than the one I stayed in. |
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| Good
morning from the Quinzhee, everyone! Can anyone tell
how many hats I am wearing? |
This
is the extent of my legroom.
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November
11:
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Here
are all the different types of recycling. Dizzying
to keep things straight!
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A
view that can be admired on the way to the lab.
The mountain partially covered by clouds is called
Erebus. It is the largest mountain on Ross Island
and is the only active volcano in Antarctica.
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The
white barn on the right is my lab. The orange van
is how I shuttle around every day.
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| This
is what can be seen looking north from the lab. Does
it look familiar? It's Mount Erebus! I am learning
a lot of geography here. |
You
can kind of tell here how the barn is below "ground".
The overwhelming greyness is usual on cloudy days
here.
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These
are the snowy walls surrounding the barn.
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Inside
the lab, we can see the mirror part of the telescope
(it sits on top of the balloon). The green bubble
wrap in the picture is only to protect from dust.
Dust is a terrible nuisance! It can ruin all your
data.
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| This
is the bottom payload, the part that hangs from the
bottom of the balloon. It's big and heavy! Probably
at least twice my height. |
Whee!
No more trekking back and forth between the barn
and the galley.
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I
love this picture. It is taken from the back porch
of my dorm.
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