New extended configurations scheduled

The beginning of the year 2006 was highlighted on Plateau de Bure by moving the array for the first time into the new extended A-configuration, including the new stations N46 and E68. The change of configuration was accomplished on Friday, 13th January 2006 in less than one day, thanks to excellent weather conditions and a perfect preparation of the tracks, in terms of snow clearing and de-icing. Special thanks here go to Laurent Broche, Bruno Convers and Laurent Lapeyre, all three machinists at Plateau de Bure.

After only a few hours, André Rambaud, operator at Plateau de Bure, obtained fringes on all baselines and later in the night Patrick Chaudet (the second operator on site during that week) obtained a baseline solution with an excellent precision. The first scientific project was successfully observed in the new A configuration the following morning, again under excellent atmospheric conditions and as of today (January 24) already 14 tracks have been completed.

This tremendous success would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of many people, last but not least those who did the snow cleaning! Thanks to all of those involved for their enthusiasm and for their efforts that made this success possible!

Roberto NERI, Bertrand GAUTIER, & Jan Martin WINTERS