Checklist for schedule-based observations

Notice that actions can take place either locally or remotely.

Login control system(1) Locally: login on discos-manager using the discos credentials. Remotely: connect via VNC to discos-manager with the proper credentials and instructions provided by local staff. login your user or poject home(2) you can ssh into discos-manager with proper credentials.

Note

Remember that spaces within the command line content are not allowed!

Launch the monitors, if necessary:

$ discosConsole

Initial setup (op):

> antennaReset  (if resuming after the emergency stop button is released)
> setupCCC      (or other setup code)

Tune the local oscillator, if any (op):

> setLO=[freq]
—> e.g. setLO=4900 - 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

Measure the cold sky signal level (op):

> getTpi
> setAttenuation=[sect],[att]
—> iteratively adjust attenuations until the level is about 850 counts

Get a Tsys (op):

> tsys

Pointing and focusing optimisation (op):

> track=name                    (choose a proper calibrator from source catalogue)
> chooseRecorder=MANAGEMENT/Point
—> the following command on (1):
        $ calibrationtoolclient MANAGEMENT/Point            (to display the plots)
> crossScan=HOR,0.5d,00:00:20   (set proper parameters according to your beamsize)
> azelOffsets=0d,0d             (only if wanting to reject the measured offsets!)
> focusScan=60,00:01:00
> clearServoOffsets             (only if wanting to reject the updated focus position!)

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 (bug under fixing).

Create a schedule (2):

Use basie, the schedule creator (see its own guide):
$ basie –c [configfile] [out_directory]
—> Move the schedule files to the proper folder

Parse the schedule (2):

$ scheduleChecker [schedulename].scd

Launch the schedule (op):

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

Data quick-look

  • Case A: when using MANAGEMENT/Fitszilla, launch the quick-look (2):

    $ idl
IDL> .r fitslook
IDL> fitslook

  • Case B: when using MANAGEMENT/Point, launch the quick-look (2):

    $ calibrationtoolclient MANAGEMENT/Point

  • Case C: when using MANAGEMENT/CalibrationTool, launch the quick-look (1):

    $ calibrationtoolclient MANAGEMENT/CalibrationTool

Stop the schedule (op):

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

Stow the antenna (op):

> antennaPark

Stow the and active surface and minor servo (op):

> asPark
> servoPark

Close the monitors, if necessary (1):

$ discosConsole —-stop   (individual panels are closed typing “exit” in their command lines)