Claire Moutou - Resident Astronomer at CFHT

1- Present yourself : who you are + describe your job

I am Claire Moutou, resident astronomer at CFHT (Maunakea) since mid 2013. Two third of my job is related to science operations of the observatory and instrumental duties. One third for reasearch. My duties are made of: observatory and science preparations for the incoming instrument SPIRou (I'm the observatory scientist so in charge of the  performance evaluations on site); queue observing (less than 25 night per semester, and mostly daytime duties); plus miscallenous science-operation development and follow-up activities.

On the science side, I'm contributing to several observational projects in the exoplanet field -also implying SPIRou.

2- Can you explain your study + professional paths?

 I went to college close to Paris at the public university in fundamental physics and astrophysics. Continued with a PhD in a space observatory near Paris (IAS) on interstellar medium chemistry. Then I changed research subject, spent one year at Observatoire de Haute Provence working on high-contrast imaging instrumentation; followed by 3 years of fellowship at ESO -2y at Paranal and 1y in Garching. Then I entered CNRS on a full-research position in France and spent 12y at LAM working on radial-velocity and space-based transit surveys. In 2013, I joined CFHT for 6y to get closer to science operations and work on SPIRou. I made that choice because the opportunity presented itself and it was a good moment wrt the projects I was working on. I was eager to come back to science operations as I had known them at ESO.

3- How long have you been working in an observatory?

3y at ESO + 4.5y at CFHT for the moment, over a 20y long career, so not continuous. I appreciated the opportunity to go back and worth between observatory work and pure-research (and administration) work. I never applied for a long-term observatory position as I really enjoyed focusing on research projects during some years.

4- Pros and Cons (Likes/Dislikes) of your life in an observatory?

Pros: there is a huge variety of different interactions in an observatory, that are more sparse in a research lab - either with our different users, or with other astronomers or engineers of the observatory with whom we develop and maintain the observatory tools and the instrument monitoring systems. Maunakea observatories offers many opportunities for interactions and mutual training as well, which is a great richness.

Cons: Isolation from the science community, as the trends are for more automated remote observations. Less time for research projects.

5- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

Having become a guide tour! That was unexpected. Or having visitors demanding to observe parts of the sky which were below the horizon...

6- What is the scariest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

Thunder at Pic du Midi. Seeing telescopes falling down (twice).

7- When was a time that you weren't sure if you could do something, but you did it?

That's very frequent, as operations require to take micro-decisions all the time. Reboot computers by instinct when you don't have a precise procedure. Start the cooling of an instrument when you see it warming up and nobody is around to take this decision.

8- What advice would you give to someone interested in working at an observatory? 

Go for it! you need a strong interest in technical stuff, either instrument or low-level data analysis, preferably both! Being a woman is no problem for observatory work; on the contrary I always found very weel integrated and welcomed as a woman. If possible, I would recommend either alternate between observatory and research lab, or make strong connection with some users (especially if you're instrument scientist) and contribute to their science. SciOps people are very good additions to a research team.

9- What do you do for fun at the observatory?

 I don't understand the question. It's always for fun at the observatory! we've got a lot of opportunities to mix day staff and night staff -monthly snacks; once-a-year full day of games or sports.

10- What do you do for fun when you're *not* at the observatory?

Pretty personnal :) I like to hike and to paddle on the ocean. Like to sing and dance as well!

Atsuko Nitta - Head of Science Operations at Gemini North Observatory

1- Present yourself : who you are + describe your job

I am an astronomer working at Gemini Observatory. Gemini has two telescopes, one in Hawaii (Gemini North) and one in Chile (Gemini South). I currently serve as the Head of Science Operations at Gemini North. 

2- Can you explain your study + professional paths?

I was studying theoretical particle physics (mainly on CP violation) in Japan. I got a fellowship to go overseas for two years. I went to University of Texas and instead of returning after two years, I completed my graduate studies there and earned my PhD in astronomy.

3- How long have you been working in an observatory?

I have been at Gemini for 11 years.

4- Pros and Cons (Likes/Dislikes) of your life in an observatory?

It is exciting to be at the forefront of new science and discovery. But that is only achieved by all of us working so everything is working as expected all year round (like a hopspital , for instance) 

5- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

Someone putting a "comet" image on the cloud camera on April Foo's night.

6- What is the scariest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

The sound of the 82inch dome at night. It makes such creepy sound. 

7- When was a time that you weren't sure if you could do something, but you did it?

Studying physics and astronomy. Not considered those bring good future. 

8- What advice would you give to someone interested in working at an observatory? 

I have had good and bad time, but most importantly, it has been rewarding.
Observatories tend to be in isolated locations, so it might work for some people for some time, but not for everyone for all the time. But it is hard to find out if you don't try. So give it a shot. 

9- What do you do for fun at the observatory?

Work is not all stress, it is fun too. I also enjoy interacting with people from all over the world and different backgrounds. That is fun for me. 

10- What do you do for fun when you're *not* at the observatory?

Hang out with friends/family. Yoga, beach, reading... 

Daniela Soto Martinez - Array Operator at ALMA

1- Present yourself : who you are + describe your job

I am Daniela Soto Martinez, I work as Array Operator at ALMA Observatory.

2- Can you explain your study + professional paths?

I am physics Engineer from Universidad de Santiago de Chile.

3- How long have you been working in an observatory?

I started at ALMA in May 2016, it is my first experience in an observatory. Before that I worked for six years in a Chilean Geophysics Company.

4- Pros and Cons (Likes/Dislikes) of your life in an observatory?

It is a great place to work. Here you find people from different countries and cultures, which makes this place dynamics and the pleasant work environment. But it also hard because of the high geographic elevation and travel to the shifts weekly, leaving family at home.

5- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

I think the funniest thing that I have lived at ALMA is participate in the “Corrida” two times, for May 21 and September 18, although it is very hard, it is a very nice moment to share with ALMA people and enjoy together.

6- What is the scariest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

I don’t know. Some very personal things for me was naturally produced, like when I felt the first earthquake here, it move a lot the ground… other was the storms and rays in December 2016, very scary I think. But nothing so bad has happened.

7- When was a time that you weren't sure if you could do something, but you did it?

I think at the beginning, the first time I had to operate alone. It happened when I was in training period yet, and nobody else of my group was at the observatory to support me. But at the end I did it successfully and nothing bad happened.

8- What advice would you give to someone interested in working at an observatory? Anything specifically if they are a woman?

My advice is not be afraid about work in an observatory, is maybe a different job, but it is a great opportunity to grow personally and professionally. Also is a very interesting and unique job.

9- What do you do for fun at the observatory?

I try to practise sport when I ‘m here, to spend free time. I usually try to use the gym, but also with other guys we join to play football and volleyball sometimes.

10- What do you do for fun when you're *not* at the observatory?

At home I enjoy to be with my family and work together in our house, we are remodelling, so every moment we have we spend it there.

Nidia Morrell - Astronomer at Las Campanas Observatory

1- Present yourself : who you are + describe your job

I am a resident astronomer at Las Campanas Observatory. My job is quite diverse: I help with service observations for Carnegie astronomers, I help to keep the du Pont and Swope instrumentation manuals up to date (kind of... I am always behind); I participate in engineering runs. Sometimes (like now) I replace du Pont telescope operators; I eventually help people in getting started on their observing runs or answer their questions while preparing observing proposals, or give advice on data reductions for the instruments I am familiar with. But I am also a member of the Carnegie Supernova Project, and work on some other research projects in collaboration with astronomers from Chile and abroad (those are related to massive stars research).

2- Can you explain your study + professional paths?

I've got a Licenciado (1977) and  PhD (1984) degrees in Astronomy from the University of La Plata, in Argentina, where I worked since my graduation until I moved to Las Campanas in 2002. In the meanwhile I only left La Plata once for a 2-year stay at Kitt Peak National Observatory (1989 and 1990) where I worked with Helmut Abt  as a CONICET fellow. Back in La Plata in early 1991 I combined teaching, research,  and Licenciado (Master) and PhD thesis advising for many years. My research has focused on young stars in open clusters, and massive binary properties. I did most of my observations at Cerro Tololo, starting back in 1978 (if someone is interested, I am now 64), and then at Complejo Astronomico El Leoncito (CASLEO, Argentina) where the 2.15-m Sahade telescope began operations in 1985. I always wondered how nice would be working at an observatory permanently. In October 2002 I joined the staff of Las Campanas  as a visiting scientist, soon after I started my participation in  the Carnegie Supernova Project, and after several years I became a resident astronomer.

3- How long have you been working in an observatory?

The answer to this has already been given: almost 15 years now.

4- Pros and Cons (Likes/Dislikes) of your life in an observatory?

I just love the observatory and working here. Observing is the favourite part of my job. I love the mountain, the silence, the work I do at night. The cons are that sometimes I have no time for other things, such as taking care of my house, or going for trekking excursions; and I certainly would like to see my family more ofen: I have 2 kids and 6 grandchildren who all live in Argentina.

5- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

Everything is fun here. I was here when the  IMACS instrument was installed, I have seen the first light of MIKE and even took data for my own projects and for a graduate student from La Plata during some of those very first nights on that beautiful instrument. At times I observe alone at du Pont (being both the observer and the telescope operator) and that is also great.

6- What is the scariest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

I tend to get scared when something goes wrong with the telescope or the instruemt and I believe I should be able to understand what's going on. I wish I would know a lot more about the instruments themselves, not just how to take data with them, as I usually do. I get scared, but I call the technicians and most of the times they can fix the problem and observations are resumed.  

7- When was a time that you weren't sure if you could do something, but you did it?

That happens many times, at first I never know whether I will be able to do things.

In line with my previous answer, when I was asked for the first time if I would be willing to replace a telescope operator for a week, I definitely wanted to do that, but also I wondered if I would be able to fulfill the expectations. I had seen the telescope operators working for years, but performing their job myself was a different thing. Fortunately, everybody in the technical staff were very helpful and supportive and things turned around smoothly. Since then, I am happy to replace du Pont telescope operators whenever it is needed.

8- What advice would you give to someone interested in working at an observatory? Anything specifically if they are a woman?

If you feel like you'd enjoy working at an observatory, you should give it a try. It is great. You  learn things, you get in touch with great, extremely clever people, you learn how to use new instruments.

You never get bored!

I don't see why should it be different for men or women.

9- What do you do for fun at the observatory?

I love walking around, for example from du Pont telescope to the Astronomers Support Building, or to the dinning room. I also love reading books; and of course working on my own projects when time allows.

10- What do you do for fun when you're *not* at the observatory?

I meet with friends for dinner, I take care of my house, my plants, I read books, I watch movies, I cook. I also go trekking sometimes.

Celia Verdugo - Data Analyst at ALMA

1- Present yourself : who you are + describe your job

My name is Celia Verdugo and I’m an astronomer working at ALMA as a Data Analyst. When I’m at the observatory (1-2 weeks per month) I have a role of Astronomer on Duty (AoD), and I take care of the observations, of scheduling projects and doing first quality assessment of the data. The rest of the time I am at the headquarters in Santiago, were I reduce and analyze calibration data that will be later used for the science observations.

2- Can you explain your study + professional paths?

I did both my Bachelor and my Master in Science with Astronomy mention at the University of Chile, 7 year is total. Then I moved to France to do my Phd at the Observatory of Paris, for 3 years. Right after I graduated, I moved back to Chile and started working here at ALMA

3- How long have you been working in an observatory?

Two years now.

4- Pros and Cons (Likes/Dislikes) of your life in an observatory?

I like very much working as an AoD. It is what I enjoy the most of my work, taking care of the observations at the control room. And it is always nice to spend some time at the Atacama desert, a beautiful and quiet place. But of course, It is not easy to spend so much time away from home. The largest difficulty is to balance work and family in a ‘shift’ type of working life.

5- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

Well, now I think it’s funny, but at the time I think I must have pissed off a lot of people, when I accidentally turned on the fire alarm of my bedroom by leaving the humidifier on the entire night. I woke up every one in my corridor at 3AM.

6- What is the scariest thing that has happened to you at the observatory?

I don’t think anything really scary has ever happened to me, but of course, here in Chile we always have to be alert of earthquakes. The last big one I felt on the  observatory was due to a high volcanic activity.

 

7- When was a time that you weren't sure if you could do something, but you did it?

One time I joined the astrophotography group to a night session at the high site, at 5000m of altitude, and I was worried about driving at night, because the road is very difficult, and I didn’t have any experience driving on high mountain. In general, I’m a bit insecure about my driving skills, so normamlly under these circumstances I was quite nervous, but luckily I pulled through and ended up taking some beautiful pictures of the night sky.

8- What advice would you give to someone interested in working at an observatory? Anything specifically if they are a woman?

I would definitely say that, for a woman, and observatory is a good and confortable place to work in, but due to the large gender disparity, It is still a place with male majority, and we should always be alert to any kind of “funny” jokes or comments, which can be said with and innocent intention, but end up being sexiest anyway. Even though they are very rare, I always try to put and end to those “jokes” right from the start, no matter how “innocent” they might be.

9- What do you do for fun at the observatory?

I go to the gym, watch TV, read a book, or go to San Pedro for a few hours.

10- What do you do for fun when you're *not* at the observatory?

I normally go out with friends and boyfriend, visit the family in the countryside, of have people over at my place for food and drinks.