SPTpol deployment

We started hoisting the optics/receiver cryostats into the telescope cabin at 9am on Jan 25, 2012. A mere 39 hours later at 11pm on Jan 26th we achieved first light with SPTpol! Below are detector timestreams as we scan across RCW38, one of the many calibration sources we use. In the next few weeks, we'll be working hard to characterize our instrument. We will make maps of calibration sources, characterize detector response and time constants, map our beams, get the telescope in really good focus for the winter, and measure our detector polarization angles. There is a lot to do to get ready for the observing season, but we're all really excited that we can see astrophysical objects with our new instrument! Congratulations and thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this instrument possible. Stay tuned for updates!