Checklist for schedule-based observations

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

  • (dc) = action to be performed in a terminal on the observing machine (viewer02), within the VNC connection to discos-console
  • (op) = command to be given in the operatorInput panel of DISCOS

Login on (dc)

Launch the monitors, if necessary (dc):

$ discosConsole

Initial setup (op):

> antennaReset  (if resuming after the emergency stop button is released)

> setupCCB      (or other receiver code)

> asSetup=S     (or other AS code)

Project declaration (op):

> project=[projectID]    (to correctly store all your data and more easily retrieve schedules)

Tune the local oscillator, if any (op):

> setLO=[freq]
—> e.g. setLO=6600 - 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 (a spectrometer might have been left active) (op):

> chooseBackend=BACKENDS/TotalPower

Measure the cold sky signal level (op):

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

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             (if wanting to reject the measured offsets)
> focusScan=60,00:01:00
> clearServoOffsets             (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).

If needed, choose and set the spectrometer (op):

> chooseBackend=XARCOS  (or SARDARA)
> initialize=[code]

Create a schedule (dc):

Use the *basie* schedule creator (read its guide for details):
$ basie –c [configfile] [out_directory]

Copy all the schedule files (dc):

Copy the schedule to the destination folder on discos-console.

Parse the schedule (dc):

$ scheduleChecker [schedulename].scd

Launch the schedule (op):

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

Data quick-look (dc):

Launch the real-time quick-look of the data under acquisition
by double-clicking on the quicklook.html icon on the desktop

Stop the schedule (op):

> stopSchedule

Copy the data (dc):

Get your data, see :ref:`Retrieving-the-data`

Stow the antenna (op):

> telescopePark