SSO News

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue5 1–30 June 2020

Steps towards normality: News from SSO

Science operations at the ANU run facilities restarted on May 7th, first with the ANU 2.3m and SkyMapper telescopes, and then with the AAT a few days later on May 11th. It was a first step towards full science operations. On June 2nd, we made another significant step, with most staff returning to work on the mountain, although staff are encouraged to work from home if practical.

We now have sufficient staff at SSO to change the top end of the AAT. On June 2nd, we changed the top end from 2dF to f/8 for use with Veloce (see the attached photo). Changing the top end requires a large number of staff, as three 45-metre conduits containing almost 1600 fibres have to fed through the telescope horseshoe and declination bearing and then wound on two spools attached to the 2dF top end.  Next week, we’ll change from f/8 to f/15 and switch to HIPPI2, a visitor instrument. The AAT is one of the few 4m class telescopes that still regularly changes top ends.

With few exceptions, all observations are done remotely or robotically. There are very few visiting astronomers. We now allow remote observing at the AAT from home for those who are suitably experienced and have sufficient bandwidth and screen real-estate. Remote observing from home has been available at the 2.3m for many years. Our first user of this new capability was a member of the GALAH team.

Finally, the process to find a replacement for Doug Gray has come to an end. After an extensive international search, we are pleased that Rob Brookfield accepted the role of Observatory Manager.

 

Zoe Holcombe