Back to the NIKA2 Run 80 main page

Please find the results of the preliminary data reduction at this link.

NIKA2 Re-Commissioning: NIKA2 run 80, Cryo run 92

Observers on-site: Miren Muñoz, Mairi Nonhebel, Kaiyi Du, Stefano Berta, Ioannis Myserlis (remote), Angel Bongiovanni

Operators 24-27/3: Mario Cervera (day), Sergio Amaya (night)
Operators 28-31/3: Sergio Amaya (day), Mario Cervera (night)

Organization of shifts:
23:00-05:00 LT: Stefano + Kaiyi
05:00-11:00 LT: Mairi + all
11:00:17:00 LT: Angel + all
17:00-23:00 LT: Miren + Kaiyi + all

Initialization files:
run91*.ini (previous sweep)
run92*.ini (new sweep)

Tables (from 2026/03/24 ~15:00 LT to 2025/03/31 ~10:30:00 LT)

• Focus sequences
  Scan nr	Target	Ar2	Ar1	Ar3	Polarized?	Notes
  20260324s153-157	Uranus	0.27	1.25	1.2	no	Started at 1.0 mm; tadadada; Ar2 good fit; Ar1 and Ar3 fit is marginal
  158-162	Uranus	out	1.3	1.25	no	Started at 1.5 mm; Ar1 perfect fit; Ar2 out of range
  163-167	Uranus	0.28	out	out	no	Started at 0.5 mm; Ar2 perfect fit; Ar1 out of range
  171-175	Uranus	out	1.22	1.18	no	started at 1.5 mm; Ar1 perfect fit; Ar2 out of range
  206-210	0851+202	out	1.36	1.31	no	Started at 1.4 mm; Ar1 and Ar3 perfect fit; Ar2 out of range
  20260325s20-24	3C273	out	1.46	1.43	yes	Started at 1.5 mm; Ar2 out of range
  s70-74	3C345	0.74	1.5	1.44	yes	Started at 1.5mm; Ar2 using fwhm only
  s91-95	3C454.3	out	1.15	1.15	yes	Started at 1.5mm
  s123-127	3C84	out	0.75	0.73	yes	Started at 1.mm
  s134-138	3C84	out	0.5	0.49	yes	Started at 0.6mm; Ar1&3 beams distorting.
  135-139	3C84		0.5		no	started at 0.6 mm
  148-152	Mercury	-0.8	0.23	bad	0.18	Started at 0.6 mm; Ar2 marginal and based on FWHM only; Ar3 based on flux only
  160-164	SMA_0348-278	out	out	out	no	started at 0.3
  165-169	SMA_0348-278	-0.55	out	out	no	started at 0.0 mm; Ar2 perfect fit -> adding 1.0mm for the Ar1 focus, fullstop
  191-195	Uranus	0.03	1.14	1.16	no	started at 0.5 mm, Ar1 and Ar3 based on flux only
  196-200	Uranus	out	0.92	0.91	no	started at 1.14 mm
  203-207	Uranus	0.16	1.21	1.19	no	started at 1.1 mm
  232-236	3C273	out	1.35	1.30	no	started at 1.4 mm
  237-241	3C273	0.40	out	out	no	started at 0.4 to pinpoint Ar2; Ar2 based on fluxes only
  20260326s1-5	3C273	0.67	1.74	1.74	no	Started at 1.3 mm; Ar1 and Ar3 FWHM only (re-do)
  6-10	3C273	out	1.57	1.54	no	Started at 1.8 mm
  27-31	3C273	out	1.64	1.60	yes	Started at 1.8 mm
  45-49	1741-038	out	1.48	1.45	yes	Started at 1.6mm
  63-67	3C454.3	0.81	1.72	1.68	yes	Started at 1.6mm, Ar2 based on FWHM only
  84-88	3C454.3	0.67	1.44	1.43	yes	Started at 1.6mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  118-122	3C84	0.39	1.1	1.08	yes	Started at 1.3mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  130-134	3C84	0.24	1.21	1.15	yes	Started at 1.mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  149-53	Uranus	out	1.02	1.	yes	Started at 1.2mm
  166-170	Uranus	0.05	1.1	1.1	yes	started at 1 mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  183-187	3C84	0.4	1.41	1.39	no	started at 1.1 mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  194-198	3C84	out	1.21	1.2	no	started at 1.4 mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  218-222	3c273	0.8	1.77	1.72	no	started at 1.6mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  20260327s3-7	3C273	0.89	1.81	1.78	no	Started at 1.6 mm; all there Ar123 FWHM only
  199-203	3C454.3	0.75	1.88	1.85	yes	Started at 1.6mm
  208-212	3C345	0.73	1.5	1.46	yes	Started at 1.6mm, Ar2 based on FWHM only
  223-227	3C345	0.29	1.03	0.95	yes	Started at 1.5mm, Ar2 based on FWHM only
  241-245	3C454.3	0.07	1.13	1.06	yes	Started at 1.mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  261-265	Uranus	out	0.75	0.74	yes	Started at 1.mm, Ar2 based on FHWM only
  279-283	Uranus	out	1.03	1.04	no	Started at 1 mm
  296-300	0736+017	0.32	~1.40	1.35	no	Started at 1 mm; Ar2 correction not clear
  301-305	0736+017	out	1.33	1.3	no	Started at 1.4 mm
  313-317	3C273	out	1.37	1.33	no	started at 1.5 mm
  320-324	3C273	out	1.44	1.43	no	started at 1.5 mm
  327-331	3C273	0.51	out	out	no	started at 0.5 mm
  20260328s3-7	3C273	out	1.51	1.48	no	started at 1.5 mm
  46-50	MW349	0.62	1.4	1.35	yes	started at 1.5mm; Ar2 based on FWHM only
  66-70	3C454.3	1.58	1.48	1.4	yes	started at 1.5mm; Ar2 based on FWHM only
  84-88	3C454.3	0.5	1.36	1.33	yes	started at 1.5mm; Ar2 based on FWHM only
  114-118	3C84	out	1.01	0.98	yes	started at 1.3mm
  129-133	3C84	0.49	1.31	1.28	no	started at 1.3mm; Ar2 based on FWHM only
  140-144	0736+017	0.47	1.36	1.36	no	started at 1.3mm; Ar2 based on FWHM only
  147-151	0736+017	0.65	1.52	1.50	no	started at 1.5mm;
  159-163	3C279	0.59	1.59	1.53	no	started at 1.7mm;
  20260329s7-11	3C454.3	0.6	out	out	no	started at 1. mm
  12-16	3C454.3	0.6	1.77	1.75	no	started at 1.6 mm
  43-47	3C84	0.7	1.52	1.51	no	started at 1.7 mm
  20260330s4-8	3C273	out	1.05	1.05	no	Started at 1.5 mm
  26-30	3C273	n/a	n/a	n/a	no	started at 1.4 mm; imbfits of the last scan NOT produced -> need to repeat
  31-35	3C273	out	1.05	1.03	no	started at 1.4 mm;
  49-53	3C286	out	0.91	0.84	yes	started at 1.4mm
  64-68	3C454.3	0.24	1.25	1.14	yes	started at 1mm
  81-85	3C454.3	0.23	0.97	0.95	yes	started at 1.3mm
  98-102	3C454.3	out	0.5	0.5	yes	started at 1 mm
  103-107	3C454.3	-0.31	0.6	0.57	yes	started at 0.5 mm
  121-125	3C84	-0.15	0.8	0.8	yes	started at 0.4 mm, Ar1+3 marginal and FWHM only; using 0.85
  142-146	3C454.3	out	0.46	0.42	yes	started at 0.85 mm
  159-163	Uranus	out	0.6	0.58	yes	started at 0.6 mm
  183-187	Uranus	-0.39	0.66	0.63	no	started at 0.6 mm

  Beam maps (99 sub-scans)
  Scan Nr	Target	Focus	Notes
  20260324s169	Uranus	1.30	Focus optimized for Ar1
  20260324s177	Uranus	1.22	Focus optimized for Ar1
  20260327s319	3C273	1.37	Focus optimized for Ar1
  20260327s326	3C273	1.43	Focus optimized for Ar3, and also Ar1
  20270328s2	3C273	0.51	Focus optimized for Ar2

  Polarization beam maps (95 sub-scans)
  Scan Nr	Target	Focus	Notes

  Calibrators (calib_1scan)
  Scan Nr	Target	Focus	Notes
  20260324s170	Uranus	1.3	TP, Focus optimized for Ar1
  178	Uranus	1.22	TP, Focus optimized for Ar1
  182	Betelgeuse	1.22	TP, Focus optimized for Ar1
  20260325s25	3C273	1.46	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  64	MWC349	1.46	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  65	NGC7027	1.46	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  66	CRL2688	1.46	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  75	3C345	1.5	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  86	3C345	1.5	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  88	Mars	1.5	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  96	3C454.3	1.15	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  99	Mars	1.15	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  114	Mars	1.15	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  116	Mercury	1.15	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  128	3C84	0.75	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  129	Uranus	0.75	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3; timelines incomplete; repeating
  131	Uranus	0.75	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3; Ar1&3 beams a bit enhanced
  142	MWC349	0.5	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  143	NGC7027	0.5	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  144	CRL2688	0.5	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  209	Uranus	1.21	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  20260326s34	3C273	1.64	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  42	3C286	1.64	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  52	3C286	1.48	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  62	3C454.3	1.48	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  68	3C454.3	1.72	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  69	Mars	1.72	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  72	3C345	1.72	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  83	3C454.3	1.72	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  105	3C454.3	1.44	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  106	Mars	1.44	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  109	MWC349	1.44	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  110	NGC7027	1.44	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  111	CRL2688	1.44	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  115	3C84	1.44	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3;
  116	Uranus	1.44	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  123	Uranus	1.1	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  125	3C84	1.1	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3;
  148	Uranus	1.21	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  154	Uranus	1.02	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  165	Uranus	1.02	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  171	Uranus	1.1	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  172	Uranus	1.1	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  177	Uranus	1.1	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  180	Alfori	1.1	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  20260327s204	3C454.3	1.88	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  205	Mars	1.88	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  207	3C345	1.88	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  213	3C345	1.5	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  222	3C345	1.5	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  231	CRL2688	1.05	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  232	NGC7027	1.05	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  237	MWC349	1.05	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  246	3C454.3	1.13	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  267	Uranus	0.75	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  278	Uranus	0.75	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  284	Uranus	1.04	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  287	Alfori	1.04	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  20260328s24	3C273	1.51	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  25	3C279	1.51	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  42	3C279	1.51	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  43	3C273	1.51	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  51	MWC349	1.4	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  52	NGC7027	1.4	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  53	CRL2688	1.4	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  56	3C286	1.4	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  65	3C454.3	1.4	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  71	3C454.3	1.48	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  80	Mars	1.48	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  83	3C454.3	1.48	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  89	3C454.3	1.36	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  100	3C454.3	1.36	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  113	3C84	1.36	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  135	Uranus	1.31	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  136	Alfori	1.31	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  20260329s18	Mars	1.77	TP, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  28	3C454.3	1.74	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  39	3C454.3	1.74	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  40	Mars	1.74	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  48	3C84	1.52	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  49	Uranus	1.52	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3
  59	3C84	1.52	Pol, focus optimized for Ar1&3; 30.4% records with high tracking deviations
  20260330s42	MWC349	1.4	TP
  43	CRL2688	1.4	TP
  46	NGC7027	1.4	TP
  53	3C286	0.91	Pol
  63	3C454.3	0.91	Pol
  69	3C454.3	1.25	Pol
  78	Mars	1.25	Pol
  80	3C454.3	1.25	Pol
  86	3C454.3	0.97	Pol
  97	3C454.3	0.97	Pol
  108	3C454.3	0.6	Pol
  109	Mars	0.6	Pol
  120	3C84	0.6	Pol
  127	3C84	0.85	Pol
  128	Uranus	0.85	Pol
  139	3C454.3	0.85	Pol
  140	Mars	0.85	Pol
  147	3C454.3	0.42	Pol
  155	Mars	0.42	Pol
  164	Uranus	0.6	Pol
  173	Uranus	0.6	Pol
  188	Uranus	0.66	TP

Preliminary plan

We wish to do the following:

• OK start in total power: point, focus (!), point
• OK analyze focus difference between Ar1 and Ar2
• OK calib_1scan, beam maps (at least 2)
• OK analyze (preliminary) beam maps and produce DAFs RPPs for the new Ar3. Install the new RPPs for Ar3
• OK analyze the focus difference between Ar1 and Ar3
• OK perform many focus sequences to have some statistics
• polarimetry beam maps
• OK more total power beam maps
• out of focus total power beam maps

• OK total power deep field (HLS 091828), to derive the new, final NEFD of NIKA2 TP -> 4.2h on 2026/03/24

• OK polarimetry deep field (3C286), to derive the new IQU NEFD of NIKA2-Pol -> 3.7h on 2026/03/25

• OK 084-25 polarimetry
• OK 140-25, 146-25 polarimetry

• NO 196-25 total power -> too close to the Sun

• OK test long subscans with our favorite, total power, 100 arcsec/s
• C/2025 R3 Panstarrs, polarimetry
• deep field 03h32m31.75s −27d46m51.5s, total power, 14x14 arcmin2, 100 arcsec/s
• OK test Sgr A* polarimetry scan strategy
• ... other wishes ...

Tuesday, 24th March 2026

The team arrives safely to the observatory we are all thrilled and super excited to test and use the new NIKA2++!

During maintenance, the new make-imbf is transformed into the default one. From now on we will use only the new make-imbf and the old one will be kept inactive. We verify that the directory where the make-imbf wrote is now the "production" directory and that users can read its content. We also run the PIIC QL manually on a couple of old scans, of which William newly produces the files using the new make-imbf and writing them here. The QL reads and processes these scans regurlarly. Well done!

We take over after maintenance at 14:45 UT. All is ready. We start with total power (TP). And we stop at scan nr zero, because we are in the clouds and the humidity is at 100%. The rain alarm rings loud!

Progress of the day (whole team together) and night (Stefano and Kaiyi):

• @17:45 UT we start!!! Total power, KIDs lost 17/8/14 (Ar3 without counting Box S)
• Uranus... the moment of reckoning... pointing... both Ar2 and Ar1 are out of focus, which is promising! ... focus ... the focus difference Ar1-Ar2 is +1.0 mm.
• two beam-maps on Uranus, focused on Ar1 (scans 169 and 177)
• calib_1scan (170, 178, 182)
• deep field (TP) on HLS091828: 12 repetitions (1 rep = 4 scans of 4 minutes each - actually it takes roughly 5.25 minutes per scan)
• @00:40 UT the beam maps have been reduced, the Ar3 RPPs are ready and installed.
• Now we go back to the focus sequences taken so far and we check the Ar3 focus. We update the Table above consequently.
• The focus difference Ar3-Ar1 seems to be roughly -0.05 mm
• @01:30 UT we switch to NIKA2-Pol. Lost KIDs 17/7/11 (Ar3 without counting Box S). The 1.5 Hz frequency peak is still there (Ar2, see image below).
• the new make-imbf does not produce the files of scan 20260325s18

  • explanation by Jean in the morning: This scan does not have a subscanDone syncMsg for subscan 9. Was this scan cancelled by mistake maybe, if not, then there's an NCS-related problem that resulted in an incomplete scan. SB: the scan was not cancelled.

• deep field (Pol) on 3C286: 8 repetitions (1 rep = 4 scans of 5.7 minutes each - actually it takes roughly 7 minutes per scan)

Please find the results of the preliminary data redution at this link.

Wednesday, 25th March 2026

04:00-10:00 UT Mairi. This is the progress of the shift:

• taking over from Stefano, letting the deep field on 3C286 finish
• pointing on 3C286, Ar1 fairly circular so no need for focus
• calib_1scan on 3C286
• another deep field (pol) on 3C286, again 4 reps
• pointing on MWC349
• calib1_scan on MWC349, NGC7027, CRL2688 (s64, 65 and 66)
• skydip, scan 67
• pointing and focus on 3C345
• switching to project 084-25, calib_1scan (s75) on 3C345
• pointing on 1923+210 near science target
• 1 repetition on S87IRS1
• pointing and calib_1scan (s86) on 3C345
• pointing and calib_1scan (s88) on Mars
• pointing, focus and then calib_1scan (s96) with new focus on 3C454
• pointing and calib_1scan (s99) with new focus on Mars
• pointing on 1923+210 near science target
• set off repetition of S87IRS1 but cancelled as vertex petals closed
• returned to 1923+210 for pointing, cancelled again due to petals closing
• successful pointing of 1923+210 with issue seemingly resolved for now, returned to science target for repetition

10:00-16:00 UT; Mairi & Angel + Stefano

• Fourth rep. on S87IRS1 successfully finished. Continuing on project 084-24. A couple of scans on IRAS23385 are intended. But problems with 2 petals of the vertex appeared again. Changing to topo high meanwhile.

• Focus on 3C84 and calib_1scan maps on Uranus (s129, 129 & 131). From them and following pointing corrections, we got an enhancement of the beam for Ar1: 11.7" x 14.3". Aborting intentions.

• Switching to TP, project t22. Bad KIDs (Ar1, 2, 3): 15/1000 5/574 17/749. Focus correction Ar1 even smaller: 0.5 mm. Even so, beam size Ar1 is 11.5" x 14.8".
• Getting calib_1scan maps on MWC349, NGC7027 and CRL2688 (s142, 143, 144). El. ~40 deg. and setting. Skydip (scan 145). Mercury (scan ...)
• after lunch very hard to focus, it takes almost 2 hours
• deep field (JADES-ID1) at low elevation with scan speed 100 arcsec/s; one rep (6 scans, ~10.5 minutes each)

16:00-22:00 UT; Miren + Stefano + Kaiyi

• deep field (JADES-ID1) at low elevation with scan speed 100 arcsec/s; one new rep (6 scans, ~10.5 minutes each)
• not easy to focus on Uranus, but we end up adopting 1.21 mm (optimised for ar1)
• calib1_scan on Uranus (209) and skydip (210)
• M8182, M8182a, and M8182b observations, total power, 100 arcsec/s, to be compared to the maps obtained during the previous commissioning runs, since the upgrade of the control system

22:00 - 4:00 UT: Stefano + Kaiyi

• @22:30 UT Study of main beam and side lobes for finding a focus compromise (for the distant future, if nobody will manage to fix NIKA2++) on 3C273 (see table here). Note, however that polarimetry observations would at best be carried out at the Ar1+3 optimal focus (rather than at a compromise focus) because of the criticality of the IP correction. These observations and analysis take up to ~00:10 UT

• examining the table, we have the suspicion that we might need to newly determine the lateral focus. Any thoughts? AM: I agree. Question: AR3 is as sensitive to Sky fluctuations as AR1? SB: yes, Ar3 seemingly behaves like Ar1. As for the lateral focus, we are considering to delay the operation to Sep-Oct, after the new possible NIKA2 hardware intervention.

• we fill the night LST gap with more scans of M8182. tau is growing
• tracking errors (at the sub-scans turn over): scan 214 (3x), 216 (1x), 217 (2x), 220 (1x), 224 (1x), 228 (1x), 17 (2x)
• @03:15 I switch to polarimetry. KIDs lost 18/5/19 tau(225) stays under 0.3
• 140-25 First rep of Cloud G launched, using 3C273 and 3C286 to characterize the IP.

Thursday, 26th March 2026

4:00 - 10:00 UT: Mairi

• First rep. of Cloud G finished successfully
• calib_1scan (s42) on 3C286 for IP
• focus on 1741-038
• calib_1scan (s52) on 3C286 for IP calibration with new focus
• final rep of Cloud G (finished: kept 'on-hold' in the readme file)
• calib_1scan (s62) on 3C454.3
• switching to 084-35
• focus on 3C454.3 and calib1_scan (s68) for IP calibration with new focus
• calib_1scan (s69) on Mars
• calib_1scan (s72) on 3C345 as closer in elevation to the science target
• One rep on S87IRS1 (5th out of 6)
• calib_1scan (s83) on 3C454.3
• focus on 3C454.3 and calib1_scan (s89) for IP calibration with new focus

10:00 - 16:00 UT: Angel + Stefano

• Continuing on S87IRS1. A bunch of homology errors appeared. About 15 min. lost. Fixed by Mario and Ignacio (TG). Resuming science observations.
• S87IRS1 required reps. finished. Bracketing them with calib_1scan maps on 3C454.3 and Mars (scans 105 and 106) for IP calibration.
• Switching to project t22. Changing to topo high.
• calib_scan maps (polarimetry) on MWC349, NGC7027 and CRL2688 (scans 109, 110, 111) + a skydip (scan 112).
• calib_1scan maps (polarimetry) on 3C84 and Uranus for IP calibrations (scans 115 and 116).
• With Manuel: correcting the pointing model parameters P2, P7; dP2 = -3", dP7 = -6" adopted. Testing: set pointing -4.4 -0.6. Checking with 1928+738: set pointing -1.3 -0.7. OK for us.
• Still being in project t22. Sunny afternoon, pretty clear sky, no/mild wind. Opacity ~0.3, with contained oscillations. Peak-to-peak variations of +/-2 Jy/beam in the timelines (2 mm). Checking focus correction/beam shape to decide if continuing on NIKA2-Pol projects.
• Coming back to project 084-25. Two repetitions of IRAS23385, using 3C84 and Uranus for the IP. Additional 3C84-Uranus calib_1scan pairs obtained under project t22 (see above).

16:00 - 22:00 UT Miren + Angel + Kaiyi

• t22: calib1_scans on Uranus in Pol and Tot. Power + calib1_scan in TP on Alfori.
• Deep field (TP) on HLS091828: three repetitions

22:00 - 01:00 UT Kaiyi + Stefano

• we continue the TP Deep field on HLS091828: six more repetitions (21 in total)

Friday, 27th March 2026

01:00 - 06:45 UT EHT team

• EHT M87* monitoring (movie) campaign

06:45 - 10:00 UT Mairi

• starting observations @ 07:00 UT, started polarimetry, bad KIDs 14/9/19
• focus and calib_1scan (s204) on 3C454.3
• calib_1scan (s205) on Mars
• calib_1scan (s206) on 3C345
• focus on 3C345 as elongated beam
• calib_1scan (s213) on 3C345 to characterise IP with new focus
• repetition of G24.78
• calib_1scan (s222) of 3C345
• switching to t22 to check focus and decide what to do next
• calib_1scan maps on secondary flux standards: CRL2688 and NGC7027 (scans 231, 232)

10:00 - 16:00 UT Angel

• project t22: calib_1scan on MWC349 (s237) + a skydip (s238)
• project 084-25: starting with a fresh focus and calib_1scan on 3C454.3 for IP cal.
• 084-25 three reps. on IRAS23385, using 3C84 for the IP
• @12:45 we stop because of the high wind (too many records lost because of too large tracking deviations). We are now in the wind peak, according to the wind forecast. We wait and we'll test the wind with a short pointing from time to time. The forecast says that the wind will decrease later this afternoon.
• @15:30 we resumed observations. Continuing on 084-25. One rep. on IRAS23385. Bracketing with Uranus for IP cal.

16:00 - 22:00 UT Kaiyi + Miren

• Move to total power (lost KIDs Ar1: 10, Ar2: 8, Ar3: 18). t22: calib1_scan on Uranus and ALFORI + skydip.
• 110-25: 2 repetitions on S284-3.
• We stopped at 9 UT due to wind. We try to investigate the origin of 1.5 Hz peaks by examining the traces and spectrum

  • vertex closed, telescope parked, NIKA2 window open -> no peaks in the spectrum

  • vertex closed, telescope parked, NIKA2 window closed -> 2 Hz and harmonics

  • SB checkes: cap fixed with 2 screws only, not tightened. Adds other 2 screws and tightens them (by hand). Now peaks at 1Hz and harmonics. Perfect
  • wind is down
  • we abandon the tests. Better.
  • the arm holding M3 was touching the pipes that come from the downstairs pump up to NIKA2
  • vertex open, peak at 1.6 Hz is back, but disappears depending on which piece of timeline we examine. WTH is going on?

22:00 - 4:00 UT Stefano + Kaiyi

• TP again. LST Gap.
• beam maps, 3C273. Three beam maps, each one focused on a different array
  • beam map focused on Ar1, scan nr 20260327s319, boxes DNQ are missing maaaany KIDs
  • re-boot DAQ. Lost KIDs 25/4/15
  • beam map focused on Ar3, scan nr 326. This should be also good for Ar1 because focus Ar3=1.43 and Ar1=1.44
  • beam map focused on Ar2, scan nr 20260328s2
• M8182 further scans
• @03:30 UT we switch to polarimetry. Lost KIDs ...
• experiment for GC QU loops preparation: 3x four scans with different duration, from 4 minutes to 1.5 minutes each

Saturday, 28th March 2026

4:00 - 10:00 UT: Mairi

• GC experiment finished, closing loop with calib_1scans on 3C273 (s42) and 3C279 (s43)
• focus on MWC7027
• calib_1scans on MWC7027 (s51), NGC7027 (s52), CRL2688 (s53)
• calib_1scan on 3C286 (in t22 sorry, should have switched to project account)
• switching to project 140-25
• rep of Cloud A
• calib_1scan (s65), focus and calib_1scan (s71) on 3C454.3
• rep of Cloud A
• calib_1scans on Mars (s80) and 3C454.3 (s83), can use to characterise intrinsic pol of 3C454.3
• switching to project 84-25
• focus and calib_1scan (s89) on 3C454.3
• rep of IRAS23385 to finish the source

10:00 - 16:00 UT Angel

• Pretty clear sky, mild wind (< 3 m/s), opacity stable at ~0.25

• calib_1scan on 3C454.3 (s100) for bracketing the last rep. on IRAS23385. Nice beam shape after pointing: FWHM Ar1 11.6" x 11.8", Ar3 11.4" x 12.3". No need to refocus.
• Still on project 084-25. Starting observations of CepAHW2 (close to the recently finished IRAS23385). Rep. 1 out of 6. Scan s100 is valid for IP cal. too.
• @11:30 UT: rising fog from the north side (Monachil valley).
• pointing and calib_1scan (s113) on 3C84.
• Dense fog suddenly arrived at the end of a focus sequence. Humidity 100%, rain alarm triggered. Telescope parked @12:15 UT.

16:00 - 22:00 UT Miren

• we take advantage of the bad weather to renew the NIKA2 Saturday tradiction, moved to the afternoon though.
• we also enjoy some chair Tai Chi, kindly offered by Miren

• @19:30 UT: Resuming observations, NIKA2 TP. DAQ restarted. Bad KIDs (Ar1, 2, 3): 14/1000, 8/574, 18/749. Opacity < 0.25, mild wind. Sky clear.

• calib_1scan on Uranus and ALFORI (s135, 136) + skydip (s137). Sky is quite unstable.
• 110-25: one repetition on S284-3.

22:00 - 4:00 UT Kaiyi + Stefano

• a new sequence of calib_1scan on 3C279 with different focus values, with the aim to measure the beam shape at different foci. See the data processing page.

• @23 UT it's windy; the IRAM anemometer(s) mark ~12 m/s, not very reliable; the IAA anemometer reaches 60-70 km/h. The PIIC monitor reports ~6% of records rejected because of too large tracking deviations. We have the feeling that we will have to stop soon because of the wind. Note also that the wind is altering the beam shape and the experiment we are carrying out will probably be falsified by the wind. Sigh. We continue until it's possible, because anyway taking beam maps or long scans is out of question.
• interestingly, we seem to be experiencing a sudden increase of 3C279 flux in all three bands, while we are monitoring its beam.
• @00:30 UT we stop because of strong wind and the telescope is parked
• we switch to daylight saving time tonight.

Sunday, 29th March 2026

4:00 - 10:00 UT: Mairi

• @08:30 UT: wind speed has dropped enough, resuming observations. NIKA2 TP, DAQ restarted, bad KIDs (Ar1, 2, 3): 18/1000, 6/574, 9/749. Opacity < 0.25, mild wind. Sky clear.

• calib_1scan on Mars (s18) + skydip (s20)
• starting polarimetry
• focus on 3C454.3, switch to 084-25, calib_1scan (s28) on 3C454.3
• 1 rep on CepAHW2, tracking error possible on last scan (s36), maybe wind

10:00 - 16:00 UT: Angel

• Bracketing rep on CepAHW2 with calib_1scan on 3C454.3 and Mars (s39 and 40), project 084-25.
• Moving to 3C84. Getting focus and calib_1scan on it and then Uranus (scans 48 and 49); 1 rep more on CepAHW2, but hardly bracketed with a calib_1scan on 3C84 (scan 59) due to the wind gusts.
• @13:40 UT: telescope parked after a couple of high tracking deviations alarms.

16:00 - 22:00 UT: Miren

• wind, telescope parked. Also clouds.

22:00 - 04:40 UT Stefano

• telescope parked because of high wind
• @00:00 UT the wind decreased, I start the operations. Total power. Lost KIDS 11/5/11 (without counting Box S)

• third attempt to monitor the beam at different Z focus values. See the data processing page.

• the new make-imbf (default since the beginning of this week) does not produce the imbf files of scan 20260330s30 (last scan of a focus sequence, need to repeat). Also producing it manually does not work. I notify the Granada IT group.

• M8182 while waiting to close the LST gap, but the wind is whistling through the door again
• calibrations on the fantastic trio (see table above) + skydip (scan 44)
• @04:20 UT switch to polarimetry. Lost KIDs: 9/8/15 (without counting Box S)
• I prepare 140-25 and then I give the floor to Mairi for the next shift

Monday, 30th March 2026

04:40 - 10:00 UT Mairi

• 140-25 2 reps of Cloud-A using 3C286, 3C454.3 and Mars for the IP (project finished!) - first calib_1scan (s54) in t22
• switching to 084-25, calib_1scan on 3C454.3 (can use scans in 140-25 to calibrate QSO pol)
• rep on CepAHW2 and calib_1scan on 3C454.3 to close IP bracket
• Z-axis correction temp. spike during focus, switching to t22 to do another focus

10:00 - 16:00 UT Angel

• Correcting focus after re-doing it + calib_1scan on 3C454.3 (s108) and Mars (s109) on 084-25 account. Stable atmosphere, opacity < 0.2.

• 5th rep on CepAHW2, bracketing on 3C84 (s120) for IP.
• calib_1scan on 3C84 and Uranus (s127, 128); 6th and last rep on CepAHW2. Closing with calib_1scan on 3C454.3 and Mars (s139, 140) for IP calibration.
• Switching to project t22, calib_1scan (s83) on 3C454.3. Four scans on C/2025 R3 Panstarrs (source BODY cR3). A large glitch (~2 mm total amplitude) in the Z-axis correction by temperature differences affected scans s150 and 151. No traces of the comet in Ar3 nor Ar2 QL-maps; calib_1scan on Mars (s155).
• Moving to Uranus, focus and calib_1scan (s164) for IP correction of Crab scans.
• One rep of the script ~/pako/202503/observe_crab_polar.pako (~1 hour, 4 scans).

16:00 - 22:00 UT Miren + Kaiyi

• A second repetition of ~/pako/202503/observe_crab_polar.pako (~1 hour, 4 scans). Opacity ~ 0.3. We stop at 17:20 due to wind. Last scan of the rep. was deleted from the queue. Total number of scans on Crab: 7.
• 18:25 UT: resuming observations in total power. t22: focus and calib1_scan on Uranus (s188).
• Changing to project 110-25. Pointing on 0736+017. Wind speed rises again, with gusts up to 20 m/s (official anemometer). Waiting for a while.
• 2 reps on S284-3.
• Today NIKA2 KIDs showed peaks at ~ 1.9, 6.5, 8.5 Hz. We still don't understand their origin...
• Telescope is parked at 21h50 UT due to wind.

22:00-04:00 UT Stefano

• telescope parked because of the strong wind
• ...

After already so many weeks this year here with NIKA2 at Pico, it's time for me to say goodby to everyone, all the observers I've met, the operators, cooks, all the Granada and Pico staff. Thank you for you always fantastic ospitality and for your precious help with NIKA2 and all the headaches that it gives us. See you again in few months, hopefully. Ciao a tutti!

04:00-08:30 UT Mairi

• ...