Hola from the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile! APEX is a telescope with a 12m antenna that detects sub-mm radiation, or somewhat higher frequency than radio waves. Operated by institutions in Germany and Sweden, as well as the European Southern Observatory, the observatory also adheres to the agreement that Chilean astronomers can use the telescope 10% of the time during the year. This week is "Chile-time"!
The observations:
We're actually coming to the end of our observing run, and it has been a busy one. After two days feeling slightly under the weather and trying to keep a cold at bay, then two more days preparing a proposal for APEX observations during the coming semester, finally the cold AND the proposal deadline have passed, and I'm getting the hang of the observations, making the experience extremely fulfilling academically. In fact, I'm not observing my own project all the time, but rather a series of projects proposed by Chilean astronomers which are in the "queue", one of these being mine, and each day we choose which to observe next. This is an efficient way to run an observatory, because the observatory can optimize lots of projects that each have distinct set-ups and requirements, such as time of day/night and weather conditions.
The other day, short-handed for telescope operators, I took command of the telescope during the afternoon shift and ran the queue of observations. I wonder if this is the most expensive piece of equipment I have ever been responsible for, with the least amount of formal training? Feeling a great sense of responsibility and also recognizing the value of this unique opportunity, in a couple of afternoons I have learned the basic observing routine, as well as synthesized a lot of what I had learned previously about observations of this kind. In a coming post, I will try to explain more about how to observe with APEX.
Other "observations" along the way:
APEX is located on the same Chajnantor Plateau as ALMA, at an elevation of 5000 meters, and one exciting part of an observing run at APEX is ascending the ALMA road each afternoon to begin observations. On the way, it's possible to "observe" incredible views and even rare wildlife, on the lucky days. Giant birds, giant telescopes, giant mountains and deserts. The experience has been awe-inspiring at many levels and at every moment.
