Checklist for Total Power schedule-based observations¶

Notice that actions take place in three different “locations”:

(1) = action to be performed in a terminal on the observing machine (the one with the DISCOS system interface)

(2) = action to be performed in a terminal on the project/schedule/data machine

(op) = command to be given in the operatorInput panel of DISCOS

Login on both (1) and (2) Connect via VNC to (1) as “observer”, from there use ssh to access (2) with your project-specific account.

Launch the monitors, if necessary (1):

$ discosConsole

Set the project name (op):

> project=[projectID]

Initial setup (op):

> setupKKC      (or other receiver code: CCC, XXP)

Tune the local oscillator, if any (op):

> setLO=[freq]
—> e.g. setLO=23400 - start frequency of the observed band will depend on the backend

Point the antenna to a reference position (op):

> goTo=[Az]d,[El]d
—> e.g. goTo=180d,45d

Always explicitly choose the Total Power backend (XARCOS might have been left active) (op):

> chooseBackend=TotalPower

Measure the cold sky signal level (op):

> getTpi
> setAttenuation=[sect],[att]
—> iteratively adjust attenuations until the level is about 800-1000 counts

Get a Tsys (op):

> tsys

Pointing check and optimisation, if needed (op):

> track=name                    (choose a proper calibrator from source catalogue)
> chooseRecorder=MANAGEMENT/CalibrationTool
—> the following command on (1):
        $ calibrationtoolclient  (to display the plots)
> crossScan=HOR,0.2d,00:00:15    (set proper parameters according to your beamsize)
> azelOffsets=0d,0d              (only if wanting to reject the measured offsets!)

WARNING:

System offsets, such as the ones measured with a Point acquisition, sum up to the ones indicated inside schedules ONLY if they are expressed in the same coordinate frame.

This means that, if you perform observations using EQ offsets, also the fine-pointing cross-scans must be carried out in the EQ frame. The same holds for HOR scans. If there is a frame mismatch, the system offsets are automatically rejected.

If needed, create a schedule (2):

Use schedulecreator (see its own guide):
$ basie –c [configfile] [out_directory]

Parse the schedule (2):

$ scheduleChecker [schedulename].scd
—> Move the schedule files to the observing machine

For solar observations ONLY (op):

> dmed=sun

This command sets the DIMED attenuators to the high values that are specific for solar observations. When returning to non-solar acquisitions, use dmed=default

Launch the schedule (op):

> startSchedule=[schedulename].scd,[N]

WARNING:

The project ID written inside the .scd schedule file MUST coincide with the one invoked during the observations (and thus with the project-specific path it is stored into).

Data quick-look Use the online quick-look provided on the second desktop pf the remote machine.

Notice: if also using MANAGEMENT/CalibrationTool, launch the quick-look (1):

$ calibrationtoolclient MANAGEMENT/CalibrationTool
  (—> it opens only if the CalibrationTool writer is currently selected!)

Weather conditions and webcam (in a web browser)

Weather: www.med.ira.inaf.it/escs/meteo Webcam: www.med.ira.inaf.it/webcam.html

Stop the schedule (op):

> stopSchedule

Copy the data (2): —> Get the latest subfolders written in the main data folder

Stow the antenna and restore the default user (op):

> antennaPark
> project=staff