Science Operations
Philip Edwards
Head of Science Operations
29 October 2009
ATNF Operations Structure
Telescope Operations
& Science Services
National
Facility
Operations
Science
Operations
Computer Infrastructure
Scientific Computing & Archives
Visitor services
Receivers, LO & Conversion
Engineering
Operations
Digital & Servo Electronics
Cryogenics
Mechanical, Drives, & Electrical
Douglas Bock new Assistant Director: Operations from January 2010
Staff
• Congratulations to Robin Wark and
Simon Hoyle, who both celebrate 25
years of service within CSIRO this
week!
• And to Ettore Carretti, whose photo of
the ATCA graces the cover of the 3rd
edition of Burke & Graham-Smith’s
“An Introduction to Radio Astronomy”
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Science Operations
• Telescope Operations and Science Services
• TAC met in June, ATCA schedules for 2009JUL released in June
• New model TAC met in July,
• Eight TAC members supported by 16 TAC readers
• Schedules for 2009OCT released September 2nd
• ATCA User Guide overhauled with improved format for web version
of ATUG
• Feedback to atca_userguide@atnf.csiro.au
• Or via comment boxes at the bottom of each page
• Or via additions to ATUG wiki at http://atug.wikidot.com/
• Parkes User Guide updated and web version reformatted
• LBA webpages updated and Novice’s guide overhauled
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Scientific Computing and Archives
• CSIRO IM&T and ATNF put in a proposal to ANDS (Australian National
Data Service) to make Parkes pulsar data available on-line.
• ATOA has been upgraded to improve maintainability, and has also
been updated with the latest CABB data after new storage at Marsfield
became available. The CABB data rate is currently about 750 GB a
month.
• Work has continued on miriad, with updates to mfboot, calred and
mfcal to improve functionality for CABB and testing of an updated
compiler to take miriad into the future. A new flux density model for
the primary calibrator was implemented in the on-line and off-line
software – with this model to be updated again in near future
• When the miriad upgrade project started, there was a requirement for
“support” of single-dish modes of the ATCA. Is ATUC aware of any
concrete needs in this area and if so could those requirements be spelt
out in enough detail for the appropriate software changes to be made?
• A new DVD archiving machine has arrived at Parkes, work on the
software to bring this into operation has started.
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Science Operations
• Computer Infrastructure
• An extra 9.5 TB of storage added to ATOA
• Decommissioned attila (athena next)
• Set up ara and norma as ATCA and Mopra remote observing
machines in Marsfield
• New dedicated tape host in Marsfield, dolby
• Installed a new windows server in Narrabri
• Working with IM&T to keep @atnf.csiro.au email addresses alive,
and ensure email to ATNF distribution lists makes it through the
CSIRO email filters
• Visitors Services
• Change in Parkes Quarters hours: staff now on site 8:00am to
4:30pm with meals left in the fridge for reheating.
• Use of taxis for travel to and from Parkes Observatory
• Aeropelican Sydney  Narrabri timetable changed Oct 2009
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Parkes
• Parkes Open Day July 18/19 a great success
• Parkes hosted ATNF Radio-astronomy School Sep 21-25
• 10/50 receiver removed for 6 weeks during 2009APR semester for
engineering work
• Parkes receiver fleet being reviewed
• MMB not scheduled in 2009OCT (though was requested)
• Old meth used for VLBI at 6.7 GHz
• ATmultiband temporary fix for C-band being investigated
• Shutdown Mon 16 Nov to Fri 27 Nov, primarily to repair leak in
azimuth gearbox
• Receiver package vertical cycling being examined for spectral
ripple mitigation at 21cm
• New bikes, new bike shelter, new bike helmets!
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Old 50cm bandpass
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
New 50cm bandpass
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
ATCA
•
•
•
•
•
•
CABB observing going well
ATCA remote observing using VNC sessions continuing
Simultaneous 6cm AND 3cm possible, but 20cm OR 13cm for now
RFI characterisation continuing
Tsys characterisation across band continuing
ATCA calibration being addressed by C007 and C2050
• C007 continuing monitoring of bright calibrators
• C2050 assessing 5 potential mm flux density calibrators for times when
Uranus is not available
• Calibrator database upgrades being planned
• NASA tracking in CABB era successful – progressing towards
recertification
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
CABB zoom bands
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
CABB zoom modes
• When CABB is fully implemented, up to 16 zoom bands per IF will
be available in addition to the 2-GHz spectrum. There will, in time,
be four configurations:
•
•
•
•
CFB 1M-0.5k: coarse resolution 1 MHz, fine resolution 0.5 kHz,
CFB 4M-2k: coarse resolution 4 MHz, fine resolution 2 kHz,
CFB 16M-8k: coarse resolution 16 MHz, fine resolution 8 kHz,
CFB 64M-32k: coarse resolution 64 MHz, fine resolution 32 kHz
• Text for the Call for Proposals for 2010APR in preparation
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
WVRs
• Water Vapour Radiometer
project funded by LIEF
grant administered by
UNSW, with contributions
from
•
•
•
•
•
UNSW
Sydney
James Cook
Swinburne
ATNF
• Construction by Astrowave
has met some delays but
delivery expected before
end of year
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Mopra
• New version of Mopra QRH October 2009
• SiO maser database for Mopra pointing at 7-mm & 3-mm updated
October 2009
• GUI tool available from Mopra webpage for observers to do quicklook “point and click” data reduction (thanks to Cormac Purcell).
• Beam mapping and efficiency measurements in progress
• Online scheduling tools being interfaced with mops_vis
• Tests of subreflector cycling to reduce standing wave problems
giving encouraging results
• Fast-mapping tests (256ms correlator cycle instead of 2s) also
producing good results
• Significant increase in remote observing this year
• Large surveys encouraged to use Marsfield remobs facilities and
home institution(s) to help guide SOC design
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Tidbinbilla
• Understanding between ATNF and ICTC for continued use of
Tidbinbilla facilities for radio astronomy – expected to continue
as-is in CASS
• Service observations for single-dish radio astronomy announced
in ATNF Call for Proposals.
• ATNF contact, Jimi Green, liaising with CDSCC Radioastronomy
Engineer, Shinji Horiuchi.
• About 46 hours of 70m time, over 10 sessions, used for singledish observations since May 1st.
• A 24 hr Jupiter observing campaign by DSN telescopes will be
conducted on November 22nd as part of IYA2009.
• Use of CDSCC facilities for VLBI is continuing.
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
LBA
• eVLBI workshop organised by EXPReS in Madrid in June.
New VDIF data format adopted. Chris Phillips heavily involved.
• Next eVLBI workshop in 2010 will be hosted by Curtin.
• EXPReS ended in August. NEXPRES proposal to EC due in
November. Discussions on Australian participation
• Fermi source ToO observations successful. ATNF staff included in
paper for publication (arXiv:0910.4540)
• July LBA session affected by CABB issues as it was 1st time for
VLBI in the CABB era
• Issues resolved in time for September run, which was successful.
• All CSIRO data now transferred by ARCS. No disk shipping.
System now operational. Hobart issues with data link...
• eVLBI for Cir X-1 over 17 days, every ~2 days – a first for the LBA.
Rescheduled for December.
• Demos scheduled in 2009OCT for eResearch and APAN meetings
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Other issues
• The possibilities of electronic logs to be explored
• Ensuring information is not lost in web upgrades
• Striking a balance between announcing the expected
availability of new equipment and putting fully installed,
commissioned, characterised, and documented equipment into
service
• The siting and establishment of an SOC and links between
remote observers and local expertise
• Working with the ASKAP team to ensure a smooth transition to
the inclusion of ASKAP within National Facility Operations
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations
Thank you
CSIRO/ATNF
Philip Edwards
CSIRO ATNF Head of Science Operations
Email: Philip.Edwards@csiro.au
Web: www.atnf.csiro.au
Contact Us
Phone: 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176
Email: Enquiries@csiro.au Web: www.csiro.au
CSIRO. ATUC report May 2009: ATNF Science Operations