Would you like to observe one week at the peak of the Sierrra Nevada in Southern spain? – That is what I was asked a few weeks ago, and without hestitation my answer was “Count me in!”
At ~3000m, close to the Pico Veleta, the third highest peak of the Iberian peninsula and the second highest of the Sierra Nevada, the IRAM 30m telescope is located. Right next to it – a ski lift that brings the winter-sport enthusiasts from across the world to the peaks of the mountains.
How do you get there? – I was lucky enough that we could get to the observatory by car, which is an easy car right from the city of Granada. Then I was staying roughly one week at the observatory to execute the observations. On our way back the ski-resort further down the mountain decided to start producing high quantities of snow with their snow cannons – which meant that the car’s could no longer pass the road. Thus on my way down to Granada, I had to go for a little hike over the snowy streets before being able to continue going by car that came to collect us from downtown.
What was I observing? – This project was focusing on observing molecular gas in another nearby galaxy, so it perfectly fit my expertise. I was executing the observations on behalf of other astronomers that could not do the observations during that week themselves.
Do you have to observe at night? – Surprising to many people the answer is no! The wavelengths observed here (~3mm, 2mm range) can and will be observed 24/7. This means depending on when your observations are scheduled you might still have to observe during the night, but in principle it can be any time during the day as well.
Would I go there again? – Of course! It was an amazing experience that I would happily repeat.
