Daily Reports
Contents
Nov 22nd, Tuesday
16:00-21:00; Angel: NIKA2 cryostat checked and DAQ activated for getting selected noise traces by DJ: ok. Rainy and foggy all the shift. System check devoted to the setup for VLBI dual-receiver test (Wednesday and Thursday, 12:30-16:30, LT). No observations. Wobbler system is apparently broken (MC, SS): under study.
21:00-03:00; Jean-François: opacity > 0.8 during the first half of the run, no observation. Then it "improved" down to 0.45 in tracking the Bilal tau predictions that were promising. So we decided to have a go with nika2. [DAQ restarted at ~01:20 LT; Bad KIDs: 68, 4, 104]. However, after pointing and focus on Uranus, the opacity abruptly increased to higher than 1 till the end of the shift.
Nov 23rd, Wednesday
03:00-09:00; Longji: High opacity and fog during the first half of the shift. Opacity dropped to 0.5 and it was reasonably stable at ~07h (LT). DAQ restarted; bad KIDs: 65, 8, 90. Pointing/focus on 1226+023. El. motors current alarm was triggered several times because of the wind. Resuming at 08:45. Mean tau_225 about 0.45. Bilal takes over.
09:00-14:00; Bilal: Starting with mediocre weather (tau~0.5) and timeline variations above 50Jy! I've been looping around pointings and focus because of very poor weather, deep within clouds. At the end of the shift, moving on to calibrators to get some values. Instability going from 50Jy to 200Jy, easing down to 10Jy at the end of the shift.
15:00-21:00; Angel: tau_225 < 0.3 over the shift. The atmosphere was quite unstable till ~15:30 (p2p variations oscillated between +/-5 and 20 Jy/beam at 2 mm; slightly enhanced beam: e.g. FHWM 18.6 x 19.5 sq.-arcsec). After some stabilization, we got a calib_1scan on NGC7027 and CRL2688 (scans 202211s127 and s129), and a skydip (s132). Switching to project 160-16 (IMEGIN). We stopped for over 20 min at 16:50 (LT) for checking the Wobbler system (SS). We took advantage of that test for fresh resonances (DAQ restarted; bad KIDs: 52, 7, 73) under more stable conditions and refocusing. At last, we observed NGC7331 for ~1.5 h, distributed in 4.5 reps., until the target reached high elevations. Then, we moved to NGC337 (IMEGIN) and observed this galaxy for 1.2 h (8 reps.). At 20:40 we pointed to Neptune (under nikas-22) and launched a calib_1scan (s180).
21:00-03:00; Aurore: Calibrations (beammap [20221124s101], calib_1scan and skydip) were performed on Uranus at the beginning of the shift. Then I switched to GASTON for 2 scans, however even though the atmosphere was stable at the beginning, it deteriorated during the scans, so we will probably have to throw them away. After the stability improved, I relaunched another scan but the atmosphere deteriorated again. I redid a calibration round (calib_1scan and skydip) on Uranus after that, since the sources of GASTON and 008-16 were too high and none of the sources of 089-22 were up. Unfortunately I missed the calibrations on CRL618, as it was also too high. Towards the end of the shift, I tried to go to the one source of 089-22 that was up, hoping that by the time the telescope reached the source, the stability would have improved, but in fact, it was worse. Together with the telescope being stuck in elevation about 4-5 times, it was quite a frustrating night, despite a reasonable opacity (around 0.3 most of the time, but with frequent spikes at ~ 0.4-0.5).
Nov 24th, Thursday
03:00-09:00; Longji: The observation started with 2 reps on IC348-1 under project 008-22. After that, calib_1scan on CRL618 and ALFORI, as well as a skydip were made. The conditions were not stable enough for N2CLS so I switched to 089-22 to observe AR2747 for 1 rep. [resonances worked at 07:30; bad KIDs: 46, 6, 65]. The last few hours are spent on COSMOS observations under N2CLS project (192-16), with improved stability.
09:00-12:30; Bilal: Starting where Longji left, with observations of COSMOS in good weather conditions. tau_225~0.25 and timeline variations around 2-3Jy. A skydip got at 10:00 (20221124s70). Four stuck scan canceled (20221124s65, 66, 67 and 68). I continued with LPSZ observations (PSZ2G086.9) for two repetitions. After a reasonable pointing and focus session, we move to IMEGIN, to observe NGC4254 for 3 repetitions, sharing the good weather with everyone.
12:30-16:30; Pablo: EMIR dual-receiver FPT tests for VLBI.
16:30-21:55; Angel: DAQ restarted at ~16:30 (bad KIDs 45, 8, 60). Opacity < 0.2 at the beginning of the shift. Quite stable atmosphere (p2p variations below +/-4 to 5 Jy/beam at 2 mm). Cluster PSZ2G045 was observed for 199-16 (requested reps. completed). Switching to nikas-22: a calib_1scan on Neptune (20221124s176) + a skydip (s177). We changed to project 160-16 (IMEGIN). After pointing/focus and the first try on NGC337 (07:10), a tsubreflector-trace alarm triggered. Fixed by PM and SA. After a second try on NGC337 (~07:30), synchronization problems were noticed thanks to the plots of PIIC monitors. DAQ main window has disappeared, despite the remaining systems were running, but DAQ's VAntenna was turned on red, and communications with mrt-lx1 had apparently failed. DAQ restarted without unusual warning messages at 20:45 (bad KIDs 46, 6, 66) after several tries. DJ was informed and checked. Observations resumed at ~21:00. We lost about 1.5 h. Scans probably compromised: 188-189 and 193-194 (NGC337; 19 min in total). After pointing/focus on Uranus, a calib_1scan on Uranus (s205) was used for further tests in all PIIC monitors. No synchronization problems anymore. Quite a stable atmosphere; p2p variations of +/-1 Jy/beam; <rms> close to 45 mJy/beam (2 mm). A beam map (s207) and a skydip (s208) were obtained after that.
22:00-03:00; Karine: Tau was very good ~0.25 and stable throughout the shift. I started on project 122-16 (GASTON) with a pointing and focus on Uranus and 1 rep on L1521e. The stability conditions, which were OK at first have then deteriorated along the shift. During the two scans on L1521e, the peak-to-peak variations increased from ~ 10/20 mJy/beam up to more than 20 mJy/beam and the rms was > 156 mJy/beam. After several pointings and a focus on Uranus I did a calib_1scan on Uranus and another one on ALFORI. I switched to project 089-22 and did a rep on J1104_5040 (p2p variations +/- 10-20 mJy/beam, rms ~200 mJy/beam,tau ~0.25). Stability conditions deteriorated to +/- 50 mJy at ~2 am. Pointing on Uranus and focus (which was good). We then switched to EMIR at the very end of the shift.
Nov 25th, Friday
03:00-09:00; Longji, Angel (till 06:30): Tau about 0.25 at the beginning of the shift. Preparing setup for observing SU Aur of EMIR backup project 062-22. Tuning (E0+E1) ok, <pwv> ~2 mm in the l.o.s. (MRTCAL/FTS). Unable to get MRTCAL plots using BBC (and even NBC) backend. Trying to fix that. Opacity increasing in the meantime. High altitude clouds. Updated at 06:05 (LT).
09:00-15:00; Laurence, Angel: Problem impacting the wobbler switching system for EMIR observation, at the beginning of the shift. Solved by Angel and the IRAM staff. The opacity was around 0.4 and decreasing. Starting observation using EMIR around 10:30 (backup program 056-22, 3 repetitions on source 29 349). The opacity continues to slowly improve. When tau_225 was oscillating around 0.25, we decided to switch back to NIKA2. Atmospheric instabilities prevented us from tuning the detectors. Angel did multiple sweeps trying pointing toward the clearest part of the sky. Eventually, we got a reasonable resonance measurements, but 130 "bad KIDs" in A1, 100 bad KIDs in A3, and 5 in A2. We continued trying until we got convinced that this is the best we could do given the atmospheric conditions. NIKA2 observations can begin! However, another surprise awaited us after the first pointing. We chose a very bright QSO but got a flat field in PIIC! We tried a couple of other sources, including sources at higher elevations, to no avail. After several double-cross-checks, we concluded the issue was antenna-related, most likely the secondary mirror position. Ignacio intervened to check the antenna system. The NFS was restarted, the wobblers double-checked. Eventually, we got a correct pointing around 13:00 LT. We used the rest of the shift to perform calib_1scan on secondary calibrators.
15:00-21:00; Angel: Opacity < 0.12 over the whole shift, except for an isolated spike, very stable atmosphere (p2p variations between +/-1 to 6 Jy/beam at 2 mm). Mean rms was steadily below 45 mJy/beam, sometimes about 38 mJy/beam in that band. TAPAS records stopped today at ~2 a.m.: reported to the IT group; the recovering process is ongoing with the appropriate priority in order to avoid mrt-lx3 overloading (e.g. PIIC-QL is running there). Taking advantage from the stability, new resonances were obtained at ~15:50; bad KIDS: 25 (ar1), 6 (ar2), 47 (ar3). NGC7331 of IMEGIN was observed for 2.23 h in total (6 reps with 60 and 45 arcsec/s scan speeds). Then we switched to project 199-16 (LPSZ): two reps. on PSZ2G045. Switching to nikas-22 account. A calib_1scan was launched on Neptune (20221125s164) + a skydip (s165). Swapping to Uranus for a calib_1scan (s173) and updating the inclinometers after pointing and focus. Switching to project IMEGIN. Target NGC337 was observed twice for 27 min.
21:00-03:00; Hélène: The conditions were excellent and the shift ran smoothly, with tau ranging from 0.1 to 0.13 most of the time, with a short excursion up to 0.2, and a very stable atmosphere. The raw science data at 2mm had an rms between 2 and 3 Jy/beam most often, 5 Jy/beam at maximum. The processed data had a rms around 40 mJy/beam. The focus changed quite a lot during the night, and was checked relatively often. Calibrations done: a beammap on Uranus (20221125s210), 2 calib_1scan on Uranus (20221126s1 and 20221126s12), a calib_1scan on Alfori (20221126s5) and a skydip. Science observations: 2 scans on N337 to continue the program of the previous shift, and 10 scans on L1521E (two of them at 50"/s, the rest at 60"/s). Note on the RTA: it was impossible to obtain a good fit with the IDL RTA for a pointing done on Alfori, while the PIIC RTA gave good results for the same scan. The RTA takes a very long time after a scan is processed before giving back the prompt, which is a drawback for focus sequences.
Nov 26th, Saturday
03:00-09:00; Longji: Observation started from 2 reps on PSZ2G133 under project 199-16. Then I switched to COSMOS (192-16) during the rest time of the shift. New focus scans are made at 4:20 and 6:50. The opacity was stable at around 0.1 throughout the shift. RMSs of 5 Jy/beam in the raw data at 2mm at maximum also indicates good stability.
09:00-15:00; Juan: new resonances at 09h; bad KIDS: 25 (ar1), 6 (ar2), 47 (ar3). Pending
15:00-21:00; Angel: Opacity ~0.13 at the beginning of the shift. Recovering reasonable beam sizes after checking with focus/pointing on 1633+382 (under nikas-22). Highly stable (p2p +/- 1 Jy/b at 2 mm); beam sizes: 17.2 x 17.9 sq.-arcsec (2 mm); 11.0 x 11.6 sq.-arcsec (1 mm). Switching to project 199-16: 2 reps. on PSZ2-G086.9 (required observations complete; please check).
21:00-03:00; Hélène:
Nov 27th, Sunday
03:00-09:00; Longji:
09:00-14:30; Angel:
14:30-1630: POLAMI
16:30-21:00; Juan:
21:00-03:00; Aurore:
Nov 28th, Monday
03:00-09:00; Longji:
09:00-14:30; Angel:
14:30-1630: POLAMI
16:30-21:00; Angel:
21:00-03:00; Aurore:
Nov 29th, Tuesday
03:00-09:00; Longji: