The dark sector looking northeast...from left: ICL, DSL (which houses SPT and BICEP3 (officially NOT an acronym), and MAPO, which houses the Keck Array telescopes. |
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Next, some closer views at the dark sector facilities.
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About a mile WSW of the ICL, here we are looking at one of the wind turbine test sites for the ARA project...something else being developed by the IceCube folks in Wisconsin and elsewhere (old project website). They've already published some papers, and do plan more site work in 2017-18. |
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This view gives a good look into the Keck Array ground shield. At the far end is the structure and empty ground shield for the VIPER telescope. It was decommissioned in 2005. The instrument was removed in 2006-07; the rest of the structure would be removed in 2014-15. |
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To finish up, a bit of additional documentation:
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This is the Twin Otter being prepped for the photo mission. A couple of things to note...first, the yellow unit in front of the aircraft is the new generation Herman Nelson heater (notice the bit of heater hose behind it). These are diesel (well, AN-8) fired, computer controlled, and include two 120v 60hz electrical outlets as well. They hold up well at Pole temperatures, although they need to be started up indoors. (full size photo--5613x3744, 1.5mb). |
Here's Ian's look at the flight crew up front. |