Day 47, December 10, 2012 -- Completely baffled

We are making a big push right now to get ourselves flight ready. One of the tests we need to do before then is our "far sidelobe" test, which measures how much light couples to our telescope from directions besides the one we're looking. In order to do that properly, though, EBEX needs to be fully dressed, with all the baffling that we will have in flight. So today was dedicated completely to finishing up those baffles and completing other hardware items that are necessary for this test.

I spent the majority of the day up and around the top of the cryostat, installing our "champagne bucket" window baffle as well as the rear shielding around the secondary mirror and cryostat. Concurrently, others worked on finishing up the large 'ear' baffles that surround the front of the telescope. By the end of the day we had the ears on, but we still needed to work on closing up some of the access panels and taping open seams and whatnot. About half the team left around 8PM back to McMurdo, a few more left around 11PM, and Andrei, KyleH, and I stayed until after 1AM to finish the little bit remaining and start the fridge cycle so detectors would be ready in the morning.

Pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/104253244018605213307/EBEXInAntarctica20121210