Contents
Heterodyne Observing Pool
(this page is maintained by Manuel Gonzalez and Carsten Kramer)
Database
Please observe all projects for the Heterodyne pool in the project account herapool. The project description and status can be found on the Heterodyne pool data base http://herapool.iram.es.
Observers
winter semester 2009/2010.
summer semester 2010.
winter semester 2010/2011.
summer semester 2011.
winter semester 2011/2012.
summer semester 2012.
Notes
For each Heterodyne pool project, the pako procedures are in the corresponding subdirectories (e.g. ~/088-08), together with a README describing how the procedures are used, and which weather conditions are needed. The same information is available on the project page of http://herapool.iram.es (instructions section). If you have important information on the status of a project (e.g. if it is partly finished, or if something went wrong), please note it there, in the comments section.
For starting pako, please type goPako, pakodisplay, and pako. Each project should have a script for its general setup, e.g.
@ ~/088-08/setup
Please make sure that the project number is correctly set (the only way to distinguish the HERA pool projects later), and that the doSubmit parameter is set to YES. The results of the online data processing will be written to the file
/vis/088-08/observationData/mira/spectraOdp.30m
while the plots generated by the online data processing are in
/ncsServer/mrt/ncs/monitor/plots
The lastScan.html file for the display of the online data processing is also in the latter directory.
Please use the HERA pool database at http://herapool.iram.es to manage the HERA pool projects. If you have an account, the user name is your last name (case sensitive), as you spelled it in your HERA proposal. If you log in for the first time, you will have to use the default password (ask the operator). Then you are required to change your password. It may happen that the password change needs some time to propagate to the server (in that case please reconnect later). - If you do not have an own account, you may use the "observer" account (same password as for the bolometer pool database).
Once in the HERA pool database, please select the current HERA pool, and you will get the project list. The project status can be one of the following:
- CONTINUE - a project is started and still needs more observing time
- SCHEDULED - a project not yet started, authorized for observing
- ON HOLD - do not observe this project
- DONE - the project is done, do not continue
Then click onto the number of the project you want to observe; please observe A projects first (see below for the code). The project page appears; there you can read the proposal, the observing instructions or enter your comments (after you observed the project). The visibility of the sources can be checked by looking at the vibility plot (the corresponding button in the menu of the project listing). For each source, the project number xxx-yy.p is indicated, together with the priority p (first integer code, 6 = highest, 1 = lowest). The second integer code is the PC rating for individual objects of a given project (2 = observe, 1 = observe only if time left, 0 = don't observe).
The php scripts of http://herapool.iram.es now also allow to reduce and plot data with MIRA (please set the observing date and then the scan number with the pull-up menus provided). In the statistics field you can compute the mean water vapour content, and plot its evolution. When the data are processed by MIRA, a "Results" link appears, allowing to access the plots. You can also compute the total integration time of a given project. AoD's have the permission to update the used observing time in the database (please hit the "submit" button at th bottom of the page, at "Update used time").
If the weather is uncertain and you want to check the conditions without attributing the observing time to a given project, please type in pako
set project test
In case the weather should be too bad for 1.3mm observations, there are HERA projects with setups for 3mm observations only (called backup projects, labelled e.g. B033-08 in the project list on http://herapool.iram.es).
In the ~/pako subdirectory of the herapool and herapool2 accounts, there is a utility procedure allowing you to use the ASTRO software to select a suitable nearby pointing source (in case you don't want to use XEPHEM). Start on mrt-lx3
astro @view mySource 30
where 30 is the size in degree of the field to be plotted. The procedure will ask you for the input catalogue (typically heraPoolW06, heraPoolS07 etc. for the corresponding HERA pools). The name of the program sources may differ between the project setups and the heraPoolXXX.sou catalogues (the latter are generated from the proposal information). In order to monitor the telescope and to show the results of the online data processing, please log (as user herapool2 respectively herapool) onto mrt-lx1 and execute goMonitorObserver. If you prefer to reduce the data yourself with MIRA, please log onto mrt-lx3 and start the package with
cd ~/mira mira
(default version is gag_mar08). If you are not familiar with MIRA, please consult the documentation on http://www.iram.es/IRAMES/otherDocuments/manuals/index.html (there is a cookbook section). If you use the new control system for the first time, plase consult also the PAKO manual (same html link, cookbook recipes in chapters 3 and 4).
FAQ
- What is HERA ?
- HERA (HEterodyne Receiver Array) is a receiver consisting of two arrays of 3x3 pixels with 24"spacing. The two arrays have orthogonal polarization (V,H) the two polarizations pointing at identical locations on the sky. HERA is able to follow a source in the sky maintaining the same "footprint". For that reason, HERA is the ideal instrument to do big maps at 1mm in the 30m telescope.
- What is the HERA pool ?
- The HERA pool is an observing system used in the 30m telescope to optimize the observing time with all heterodyne receivers at the 30m, i.e. HERA and EMIR. For historical reasons it is called "HERA pool". Due to the fact that HERA operates at 1mm, it has to be used when the amount of water vapour is below 5mm of precipitable water vapor (pwv). Most of the projects using HERA are grouped in a pool, and they are observed during several weeks in autumn (summer pool), or in winter (winter pool). Three lists of projects are created:
A list of projects at high frequencies above 300GHz (typically using the E330 receiver) or observations requiring very good conditions, like e.g. observations of H2O. This list is observed when the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere is low (pwv < 2mm) and the pointing stability is very good (differences between two consecutive pointings below 2")
- A list of projects at 1mm, typically using HERA. This list is observed when the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere varies between 5 and 2mm, or if it is below 2mm, but the pointing accuracy is not very good (due to strong wind, anomalous refraction, e.g.)
- A list of projects at low frequency (3mm, using EMIR). This list is observed when the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere is above 5mm.
- The HERA pool is an observing system used in the 30m telescope to optimize the observing time with all heterodyne receivers at the 30m, i.e. HERA and EMIR. For historical reasons it is called "HERA pool". Due to the fact that HERA operates at 1mm, it has to be used when the amount of water vapour is below 5mm of precipitable water vapor (pwv). Most of the projects using HERA are grouped in a pool, and they are observed during several weeks in autumn (summer pool), or in winter (winter pool). Three lists of projects are created:
- How is it decided which project is observed ?
- There are three criteria that are taken into account to decide which project is observed:
The first one is the weather at the moment of performing the observations. The weather rules mentioned above have to be respected. So, depending on the amount of water vapor (that we can check at every moment with the taumeter, https://mrt-lx3.iram.es/tau/taumeter.html) it is decided which of the three lists is going to be observed.
- The second one is the priority given by the program committee and the LST of the project. Within the HERA pool webpage there is an instrument called visibility plot which represents the visibility of every source of every project ranged by priority rate. The project observed will be the one of highest priority rate which source is visible at the moment of the observation.
- Finally, in case that some projects with the SAME PRIORITY and same visibility are visible, priority is given to the one which observer is at the telescope. In case of doubt, the AoD will decide which project to observe.
- Who does observe the projects ?
Observers from the projects included in the pool observe for their own projects and also for other projects (if the weather conditions do not allow to observe their projects). The observers of A proposals are expected to come to the telescope (except for projets < 10h). For big A projects (> 40 hours), two or more observers may be needed. Observers of B proposals are also invited to come, they can improve their chance to get data: obsevers of B-rated projects coming to the telescope to observe for the HERA pool are "awarded" with some observing time (typically 5h). We need 3 to 4 observers per week, who will observe during the whole week in periods of 6 to 8 hours each.
- How can I control the status of my project ?
- There is a webpage were you can check at every time if your project has been observed, the time left, where you can read the comments of the observers, ...
Once you are logged in the webpage (send an email to the pool manager to obtain the login and the password), you have to push on the button "HERA<->E330<->backup" until the moment you see in the black stripe in the bottom of the page the message "Only YOUR_LIST pool projects" where YOUR_LIST is the name of the list your project is included in (HERA, E330 or BACKUP). Then push on the button of your corresponding pool (e.g. HERA pool winter 2010). You will access to a webpage where you can see all the projects of the list you have selected in the pool that you have selected. You can see the number of the project, the name, the PI, the allocated time, the used time... In the top of the page there is a button called "Visibility plot", where you can display the visibilities of all the sources of the projects. If you tape on the number of a project, you will access to the project page, where you have the specific information about the project, the proposal, the PI email adress, the logsheets, the visibility plot for that project ONLY... Observers of the HERA pool are invited to "play" with this page in order to get familiar with it.
- There is a webpage were you can check at every time if your project has been observed, the time left, where you can read the comments of the observers, ...
- How do I know if my project has been observed ?
- The AoD at the telescope will send you an email every time your project is observed.
- How are the projects observed?
- All the projects are observed within the same account, called herapool. You can access via:
ssh -X herapool@gra-lx1.iram.es In that account there is one folder per project. Each one of those folders (named xxx-yy, as the name given by the PC to your proposal) contains the following data:
- the procedures necessaries to observe your project
- A README file explaining STEP-BY-STEP the things that we have to do to properly observe your project. Please, take into account that this README file should be as clear as possible. You do not know who is going to observe your project. If you want to detect one line, specify the rms or the S/N. A typical README file is sended to the PIs. Please follow that schema as much as possible.
- A LOG file where the observers explain how the observations have been performed, if they have had any problem, and the decissions that they have taken while observing your data.
- All the projects are observed within the same account, called herapool. You can access via:
- How can I check my data.
- Each project has its own account called as their project number. You can access via:
ssh -X xxx-yy@gra-lx1.iram.es The 30m telescope will generate a calibrated file with your data in the directory observationData/mira, under the name spectraOdp.30m. Each time that your project has been observed, you can download your data by doing:
scp xxx-yy@gra-lx1.iram.es:~/observationData/mira/spectraOdp.30m .
- Each project has its own account called as their project number. You can access via:
- Can I change my observing strategy or requirements during the pool ?
- YES, OF COURSE ! Every time that your project is observed, you will be asked to download your data (see point 8). If you want to modify your strategy taking into account your remaining time, etc... you have only to update your README file in the herapool account (check point 7).
- Do I have to enter my observing procedures in the HERA pool account ?
No. You have to create your own procedures and your README file, and send them to the pool manager, Manuel Gonzalez (gonzalez@iram.es), who will check them, and will include them in the herapool account. He will let you know if there is something wrong.
- I have a project to observe with EMIR. Is it observed only within the HERA pool ?
- No. EMIR and E330 projects are also observed during the MAMBO pool weeks.
- How do I do to get the passwords to the herapool and the project (xxx-yy) accounts ?
- For security reasons we cannot send this information via Internet. If you want to know the passwords, please, contact the pool manager, or phone to the telescope (00 34 958 48 20 02) and ask it to the operator or the AoD.
- Who pays the trip and the stay at the telescope of the pool astronomers ?
- For astronomers from the IRAM member states France, Germany and Spain, the expenses for travel and subsistence will be paid by IRAM according to the usual funding rules. Astronomers from other countries will have to pay for their flights, but subsistence and lodging at the telescope is paid by IRAM (as well as a room in IRAM's downtown residencia, depending on your flight schedule).
- Who can help me to prepare my procedures ?
If you have problems with preparing the procedures, or if you have any other doubt concerning the HERA pool, please, contact the HERA pool manager, Manuel Gonzalez (gonzalez@iram.es)
Checklist for project start
* Check the calibrations for each receiver/backend combination, and for each pixel (either on ODP screen, or with MIRA). MIRA issues a warning if something goes wrong.
* Check that CLASS files are correctly written (into /vis/xxx-yy/observationData/mira/spectraOdp.30m).
* When you start the execution of an observing procedure provided by a pool PI, make sure that you are on the right source (we recommend to select the source in the script, but this is not always done if several sources are to be observed with the same script).
* If you need the wobbler, ask the operator to switch it on. When a wobbler switch observation starts, please check the wobbler signal on the {\it wobbler monitor} mounted below the ceiling, in front of you.
* If you use frequency switching, have a look at the oscilloscope to the left of the operator's desk.The LO signal needs to jump with the same phase time entered into PaKo.
A few caveats
* Try to reach the receiver temperatures published in the HERA manual (Figure 2, page 5), at http://www.iram.es/IRAMES/otherDocuments/manuals/index.html. As an indication: at 230.5~GHz, the receiver temperatures of the HERA1 pixels are typically between 100 and 150 K, and for HERA2 between 150 and 200 K, respectively. For some pixels this will not be possible. * The derotator may run into its limits during a project, due to the parallactic rotation and its corresponding tracking in the receiver cabin. Once you obtain the first scan XXX of the source to be mapped (typically a calibration), please use MIRA and type scan XXX view /derotator [positionAngle] where positionAngle is the HERA position angle on the sky (typically 9.5 degree for the oversampled mode, and 18.5 degree for the undersampled mode). If you do not specify it, its value is taken from the scan header. If part of the curve shown is red, you will have to change the HERA position angle to its value +- 90 degree. The time at which you will have to do this is shown on the plot. * After a telescope slew of 50 degree and more in Azimuth, please do the pointing twice. Even if the first one looks good, the pointing parameters may change meanwhile due to the update of the inclinometer values. * If you want to test paKo procedures using an offline session, make sure to use GILDAs version AUG06 (type gag_aug06), and that the parameter doSubmit is set to no (in paKo: set dosubmit no). Do not use herapool's paKo subdirectory while observing, but another account (e.g. project).
Observing templates
Templates for project startup:
README template file for your observing instructions
Setup.pako general parameters and defines catalogues
Sourcecat.sou a template source catalogue
Templates for observing (HERA):
Linecat.lin A template line catalogue for HERA.
heraReceiver.pako Sets up HERA.
heraBackend.pako Defines backends and connects them to the receivers.
heraPointing.pako Sets the derotator to position 0 frame, connects the continuum backends, does a pointing (beam switch, calibration optional), and reconnects the spectrometers.
heraFocus.pako Sets the derotator to position 0 frame, connects the continuum backends, does a focus, and reconnects the spectrometers.
heraOnOff.pako Observing mode: on-off. Switch mode: total power. Is usually called position switch.
heraWobbler.pako Observing mode: on-off. Switch mode: wobbler.
heraFrequSwitch.pako Observing mode: track. Switch mode: frequency switching.
heraOnTheFly.pako Observing mode: on-the-fly. Switch mode: total power.
heraOnTheFlyFrequSwitch.pako Observing mode: on-the-fly. Switch mode: frequency switching.
Utility GREG procedures for OTF preparation:
simulateOS.greg GREG simulation of HERA's oversampled mapping mode (outputs PAKO command line).
simulateUS.greg Same for HERA's undersampled mapping mode.
Templates for observing (EMIR):
EmirLinecat.lin A template line catalogue for EMIR.
emirReceiver.pako Sets up EMIR.
emirBackend.pako Defines backends and connects them to the receivers.
emirPointing.pako Connects the continuum backends, does a pointing (beam switch, caliabration optional), and reconnects the spectrometers.
emirFocus.pako Connects the continuum backends, does a focus, and reconnects the spectrometers.
emirOnOff.pako Observing mode: on-off. Switch mode: total power. Is usually called position switch.
emirWobbler.pako Observing mode: on-off. Switch mode: wobbler.
emirFrequSwitch.pako Observing mode: track. Switch mode: frequency switching.
emirOnTheFly.pako Observing mode: on-the-fly. Switch mode: total power.
emirOnTheFlyFrequSwitch.pako Observing mode: on-the-fly. Switch mode: frequency switching.