Describe GoalsPrepStaffNika2TestRun54 here.

NIKA2 technical run #54 / September 2021

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Goals

Do a complete setup of NIKA2 in advance of the science runs starting in October 2021.

TO BE UPDATED

-- Sweep

-- beam map

-- establish new geometry

-- pointing session with new geometry -> new pointing model

-- skydip

-- secondary calibrators

-- if possible: polarized beammap on Uranus

-- if possible: polarized beammap on 3C286

Test polarization setup

TO BE UPDATED

-- planets and quasars

Test the external calibrator

The previous test was successful and we have learned a lot. The signal is well detected (Pi-Pq) 100 Hz @ 1mm and 800Hz @ 2mm. Using the HWP, it is polarized (80%) at 1mm. In order to exclude various scenarios, we need to repeat the tests, essentially made of skydips. A session of 2-3 hours max will be necessary that should be contiguous with the polarisation session so as to be in the fast acquisition mode. Skydip should be modified so as to include 90 degrees step. Others should include the 0 degree elevation if the Kid tuning is ok.

-- Switch on NIKA2 in polarization mode

-- Make sure the external calibrator is ON and PIPQ is also on for the acquisition

-- Point NORTH: specific command? Find a target that is NORTH

-- LOG IN TAPAS, for each scan, if both external calibrator 1 and 2mm are on or off:

-- scan 1: HWP on the side, ext cal 1mm on, ext cal 2mm on

-- scan 2: HWP on the side, ext cal 1mm on, ext cal 2mm off

-- scan 3: HWP on the side, ext cal 1mm off, ext cal 2mm on

-- scan 4: HWP on the side, ext cal 1mm off, ext cal 2mm off

-- scan 5: HWP ON and rotating, ext cal 1mm off, ext cal 2mm off

-- scan 6: HWP ON and rotating, ext cal 1mm on, ext cal 2mm on

-- scan 7: HWP ON and rotating, ext cal 1mm on, ext cal 2mm off

See this data analysis page

Sources

• Visibilities of calibrators. Listed in order from the most used to date, including two of the weakest (HL-TAU & ALFORI). CRL618 is included as an interesting target, despite seems to be evidence against its robustness as a calibrator in Sanchez-Contreras & Sahai (2004) or Arnaud et al. (2015). Feel free to contact Angel (bongio@iram.es) to include additional sources in the flux calibration tests.

• Strongly polarized quasars (>10% with POLAMI@1mm in past month):

TO BE CHECKED

-- The usual 3C286.

-- 0219+428 (I=0.5Jy, 12% on Sept. 29)= J0222+4302

-- 0851+202 (I=2.7Jy, 11% on Oct. 14)= OJ287

-- 1127-145 (I=0.4Jy, 12% on Oct. 14)= J1130-1449

• NOEMA has only observed 1044+719 at 1mm the past 2weeks (and gives 2% polar)

• Visibilities of quasars:

Observers and Schedule

TO BE UPDATED

• Telescope Schedule
  

• Due to the Covid pandemic there's no travel at the telescope, observations will be on remote with the help of the remote AOD and Operators at the telescope. List of the remote observers and the shifts:
  

• Angel will be at the telescope from Mon 20th (10:30 LT) to Tue 21st (11:00 or 16:30). Remaining days in remote with Ioannis. Pending to receive the availability of other observers.