FLAMINGOS 2nd Observing Run
MMT, KPNO 4-m, KPNO 2.1-m
January 2001

The 2nd set of FLAMINGOS observing runs began in late January 2001 and extended to the end of February. We initially went to the MMT for 3 nights, which began with 2 feet of snow. In the end we successfully observed for 2 nights on the MMT.
 
 


 

The weather finally clears after nearly 2 feet of snow. The MMT is just visible through the low clouds covering the summit of Mt. Hopkins
 
 


 

FLAMINGOS mounted on the 6.5-m MMT.
 
 

Sun set at the MMT turns the building a lovely flamingo pink color. After our last night we loaded FLAMINGOS into a truck and transported it to Kitt Peak were we mounted the instrument and started observing the next day.
 
 
 

Mounting FLAMINGOS in the Cassigrain cage of the Kitt Peak National Observatory 4-m telescope. Note the lovely new cart that was modified to carry FLAMINGOS with its electronics racks attached.

4-m image of a 10'x10' Field of the sky in the constillation Lynx. This 90 minute exposure in the Kshort filter (2.2 microns) shows roughly 2000 galaxies down to K~21.
 


 

Following 2 weeks on the 4-m we transported FLAMINGOS for a 3 week run on the 2.1-m. With the new cart we could move the instrument without disassembling it. But we did have to lower it nearly 100 vertical feet using the 4- crane.
 
 
 
 

Lifting FLAMINGOS over the opening in the 4-m floor.

FLAMINGOS lowered roughly 100 feet through the 4-m building.