Then run the following on a Linux workstation:
source /home/gbt/gbt.bash ( or .../gbt.csh )
config_tool < configfile
Don't forget to take the zero out of the g.setup() command before trying to run it to actually configure the telescope !!
The GO table is the principal way of specifying a list of sources and coordinates to be observed. Examples of tables can be found in the directory: /home/astro-util/users For example, it may be instructive to look at the tables: example.obs pulsar.obs calibrators.obsSee the GBT Observing Tables document for an introduction to GO tables.
You may run GO in simulator mode to check your tables prior to observing:
(Remember to unset the simulator mode before real observing!!)
2.5: Calibrators
The operator will put you in the gateway which allows you to control the telescope systems. He will normally enable dynamic corrections for all except prime focus observing (where they are not necessary), and will enable the active surface for observing at 8 GHz or higher.
GO should be run on a Linux workstation. Type in any terminal or xterm window: $ source /home/gbt/gbt.bash (if using bash shell) or % source /home/gbt/gbt.csh (if using c-chell) $ GO_LITE In the GO GUI, upper left corner, enter your name; check the project ID. Select the observation type and switching mode. Select the observing procedure (e.g. Track, Peak, OnOff, etc). Other things will be automatically filled in when you run the configuration tool. If you have a GO table, click the "GO Tables" button near the bottom and, in the window that comes up, type the full path to your GO Table at the top, then click the LOAD button. In the middle right side, set "Primary Mode" to the type of coordinates you are using (e.g., "J2000", or "B1950"). Set the "Offset Mode" to the same as primary mode if you are doing position switching. If doing pointing checks, set Offset Mode to "Encoder". The lower right area will be used when you start observing. This is where you enter scan parameters such as scan rates, lengths, offsets, scan duration, and number of repeats. If doing pointing checks, set the "Real Time Display" to GFM. Otherwise, set "Real Time Display" to IARDS.
It is most convenient to use the "Cleo container". On any Linux machine, type: cleo cleocontainer After the cleo container appears, select "Status" from the Launch menu. Resize the container to show the whole status display. Start the cleo screen for whatever backend you are using, for example DCR, Spectrometer, or SpectralProcessor. You will need these for balancing. If you are using a prime focus receiver, start the cleo screen for either PF1 or PF2.Back to the top
On a Linux workstation, type:
$ source /home/gbt/gbt.csh (or .../gbt.bash if using the bash shell)
If your configuration file is named "configfile.py"
then run the config tool by typing:
$ config_tool < configfile.py
Alternately, one may type:
$ config_tool
-- and then, at the python prompt:
>>> from configfile import *
-- The latter method leaves you in a python shell, from which
you may type additional commands.
See the Config Tool Usage page for further information.
Back to the top
On any Linux machine, type:
$ gfm
After the gfm window comes up, select "work online" from the "File" menu.
-- in the resulting dialog box, click the check box and click "OK"
{remember to set the "real-time display" button in the
GO screen to "GFM"}
Back to the top
IARDS should be run on a Linux machine. Use one of the fast data reduction machines. The computers "asgard" or "thalassa" are available public machines. Faster machines are available via a booking system, for example, "euler" is a good fast data reduction machine. These machines are allocated via a booking system. Use one of these fast data reduction machines for aips++, iards, or dish.Back to the topAlso use your scratch directory for data reduction with iards or dish:
cd /home/scratch/[yourloginname] To Start IARDS: % ssh thales % cd /home/scratch/yourloginname % iards (or IARDS) {remember to set the RTD (real-time display) button in the GO screen to "Iards", if you want to use IARDS !}
A. If using a prime focus receiver: - Go to the Cleo screen for the prime focus receiver. - Change the attenuators (towards the upper right) until the IF power reads about 2 volts. B. Click the "IF Balance" button on the main GO screen to adjust the IF power. C. Balance the back end: If ACS Spectrometer: -- go to the Spectrometer CLEO screen. -- click the "Locked" button to unlock the screen. -- click the "not balance" button to change it to say "balance" -- click the "Prepare" button. -- look at the duty cycles (0.8 for 3-level and 1.3 for 9-level) -- if balance is ok, click the "balance" button to change it back to "not balance" If Spectral processor: -- go to the Spectral Processor CLEO screen. -- click the "Locked" button to unlock the screen. -- click the "not balance" button to change it to say "balance" -- click the "Prepare" button. -- the "Total Power" samplers should be within 2 db or so of the "A/D Input Lvl". -- if balance is ok, click the "balance" button to change it back to "not balance" Alternately, if when you ran the config_tool, you stayed in the python shell, type at the python prompt: >>> balance() (balances both IF Rack and Spectrometer)
To show the position of the GBT in real time, click the "Real Time" button.
To load a catalog, click the "Catalog" button and navigate to where there is a catalog.
Useful catalogs :
Flux Calibrators: /home/astro-util/tables/calibrators.dat
NVSS pointing cals for xband : /home/astro-util/pointing/xband.dat