During the last week - 26 to 30 November - we set up the instruments of LACROS. Together with our colleagues of the Laboratorio de Investigaciones Atmosféricas (LIA) at the Universidad de Magallanes we had a couple of busy days. The ‘hardware’ work, like moving boxes, fixing and levelling the instruments in the right places, installing cables, etc., took the first half of the week. Furthermore, we had to dig a water and windproof cable trench between the containers and repair some smaller transport damages.

Additionally to the container site, we deployed some radiation measuring equipment on the rooftop platform of the LIA. This installation required a little bit of tinkering, as we had to adapt to the local conditions. Luckily, the weather was quite nice during this period. Mostly sunny with almost no wind and rain.

Having the ‘hardware’ part done, the second half of the week was devoted to software setup. The network had to be configured, internet access had to obtained, synchronization scripts need adjustment (or rewriting), the on-site data processing had to be set up and a lot more.

On Friday the 30 November 2018 Boris Barja organized a small inauguration event, to officially start the observation phase of DACAPO-PESO. On this occasion, representatives of the university and local media had the chance to visit the site and have a look at the instrumentation.

[mr; image credit: ps, mr]