Big One - first 6 months

Hi All,

Here are some results of the first 3600 mount installed at Dome C in Antarctica, operating at temperatures of minus 100F. With this mount we have gained great insights as to what works and what doesn't under these conditions.

This picture shows the mount with scientific instrument package attached.

Rolando

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And here are the tracking results at -96 F (Alpha = RA).

Rolando

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Rolando,

Looks like a scene out of Terminator or something similar.

Just looking at that load makes my hair stand on end. Any idea what it is and how heavy it is?

Is that wrapping I see around the pole near the ground?

Anthony.

Nice shot! Interesting configuration! Are those additional scientific packages at the end of the CW shaft? Otherwise, that's a pretty funky-looking CW!

And a very impressive tracking error graph at -96F! My laptop shuts down at 0F (yes, I found out the hard way)!

I need to load PemPro and characterize my mount's PE.

Eric

I do have to say I love the retro look of the old Altec-Lansing woofer glued to the beer can bundle counter weight.

Cool...err...C-O-L-D.

Did you have to specially bias the manufacturing tolerances to handle the thermal shrinkage at such cold temps?

Jeff

This is just amazing,having to work outside all the time on big iron I know the stuff I run does not like the cold past -10 but those temps are inhuman
Marty