[Astronomy] Chile take 2

Something that I've not blogged about, but am very much looking forward to, is an upcoming trip for work. On Monday I'm leaving on my third observing run, and my second to La Silla in Chile.

I'm going out there to use the HARPS spectrograph on the ESO 3.6m telescope. Last time I was at La Silla to use HARPS I was with my supervisor, but I did a lot of the target selection and list preparation, so I'm not too worried about being on my own this time. La Silla is an interesting place, and I'm hoping to actually get a look at the telescope this time around - it's at one end of the site, and I'm going to be working down in the control room at the other end!
The dome of the ESO 3.6m telescope. Hopefully this time I can peek inside. (Credit: David Brown)

I've got a pretty hectic travel schedule, and I'm going to be confused as hell about which sleep pattern I'm on, but it should be good. My only regret is that, with teaching having started, I can't really take a week after my observing to explore a bit more of the country. Oh well, there's always next time.....

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