Science Operations

1. Science Operations Philip Edwards Head of Science Operations 26 May 2010

2. Science Operations Telescope Operations National Facility Operations & Science Services Computer Infrastructure Scientific Computing & Archives Visitor services Engineering Operations Receivers, LO & Conversion Digital & Servo Electronics Cryogenics Mechanical, Drives, & Electrical ATNF Operations Structure CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

3. 2009 Usage Statistics * For mm season from 17-apr to 11-oct CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

4. Telescope Operations and Science Services • TAC met in February • Eight TAC members supported by 16 TAC readers • Generally working well, further refinements of the new system • Instructions for large proposals revised • No proposals for Tidbinbilla for 2010APRS • Schedules released in early March • Staged release of ATCA schedule to keep pace with CABB developments • Difficulties in filling the DA roster for Narrabri • TOSS, Engineering & ASKAP efforts toward VLBI with ASKAP and Warkworth antennas • On-going user support for all facilities • Observing support, documentation, calibration, … CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

5. Parkes Observer Feedback CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

6. ATCA Observer Feedback CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

7. Scientific Computing and Archives • CABB zoom mode testing is still in full swing and Miriad is updated as needed to process the new data. CABB scheduler allows zoom modes to be selected. The surge in Miriad data processing has also increased the maintenance load on Mark Calabretta as users push Miriad to the limits. • The last vestiges of VMS are being chased out of Parkes with Simon Hoyle writing a replacement ShowTel. • Testing for the MoniCA monitor and control update across the sites has now reached Mopra, Parkes will be next, after which the server and all clients will be updated. • Testing and commissioning of ATOA and OPAL with a new database on new hardware. • Mirpy package wraps miriad commands into python functions, see http://pypi.python.org/pypi/mirpy/ • ASAP v3.0 released this month CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

8. Computer Infrastructure • A major security breach was discovered in December, which was addressed by changing passwords of a number of local accounts, and informing visiting observers if there was a possibility that their account at their home institution was also compromised • A new data processing server, "serpens", was brought into service at Marsfield. This machine has two quad-core Intel Xeon processors and is running a 64-bit version of LINUX allowing the full 16GB of RAM to be used if required. • A new high-performance server to host the ATOA and OPAL has been purchased, significantly improving performance for these applications with plenty of capacity for growth into the future. • The group has been involved in discussions with IM&T regarding the deployment of IP Telephony at Marsfield and the proposed deployment at the observatories in the future.  • Remote observing machines ara and norma in Marsfield CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

9. Visitor Services Group • External shutters on two of the Marsfield Lodge rooms • Marsfield Lodge is booked out from July to mid-August • Parkes has purchased digital alarm clocks • …and an additional microwave to assist with meal re-heating • Parkes tower food supplies have been slightly reduced in recognition of nut allergies and to reduce waste. A wide variety of snacks are still available. • Parkes hosted the Teachers Astronomy Workshop last week • A new fridge and freezer have been purchased for Narrabri • Narrabri ET visit in April, Open Day 17th July, Synthesis Imaging School in September • Food handling course undertaken by VSG staff in April • Visitor Questionnaire form now online under visitor webpage to submit feedback/suggestions on all three sites CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

10. 2010 OCTS Call for Proposals • Requirements for Large Proposals (>400hr) revised • ATCA • Expect 1M and 64M and 4 zooms per IF from start of semester • 4M, 16M modes, more zooms per IF, higher time resolution data possible during semester, guided (in part) by proposal pressure • All 2010APRS proposers contacted, as staged release of current semester schedule will mean full semester not released by June 15 proposal deadline: proposals for 3mm need not resubmit • L/S upgrade completed early 2011, only 5 receivers until then • Parkes • 2~4 week shutdown for major overhaul of MCP in early 2011 • Upgraded H-OH performance • LBA • Possible availability of Warkworth (13/3,20cm) and ASKAP (20cm) antennas on best-efforts basis CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

11. CABB zoom bands CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

12. Remote observing • VNC sessions are used for Mopra, ATCA and LBA observing • VNC pros include • Allows for seamless handovers between local and remote observers • Correlator gui accessible to remote observers • Improved support for remote observers • VNC cons include • Occasional battles for control of the cursor • Occasional occurrences of VNC windows freezing or hanging • Some non-intuitive key sequences required on occasions • More experience is being gained • Documentation is being improved • Alternatives are being examined CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

13. Around the grounds • Tidbinbilla • 49 hours single-dish host country observing since November 2009 (excluding overheads). Note decreased availability in this period due to long DSS34 maintenance period, and Shinji’s absence • Mopra • Successful fast-mapping observations • HOPS completed • Paper on 12mm & 7mm characterisation submitted to PASA • Parkes • Successful PULSE@Parkes runs (2hr/month) • CPSR2 to be decommissioned at end of June • Pulsar backend characterisation and comparison in progress • ATCA • NASA recertification • LBA • Increasingly productive CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

14. WVRs • Water Vapour Radiometer project funded by LIEF grant administered by UNSW, with contributions from • UNSW • Sydney • James Cook • Swinburne • ATNF • Construction by Astrowave met some delays but delivery of completed units expected by end of June CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

15. Skydips at Mopra CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

16. Observing time (in hrs) by year and band

17. Other issues arising • Mopra standing wave issue: initial tests in sub-reflector cycling gave promising results, but subsequent tests have muddied the waters. • ATCA in single dish mode: pilot observations by Andrew Walsh have yielded maser detections and provided a useful data to study use of autocorrelations. • Mopra webcam: “all-sky camera with active cross to show where telescope is pointing” under consideration • Single dish polarisation software: Ettore Carretti has written the software and is working on the documentation • Accepted OPAL abstracts to ADS? Can be done, though abstracts of accepted proposals can already be viewed in OPAL CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations

18. Thank you CSIRO/ATNF Philip Edwards CSIRO ATNF Head of Science Operations Email:Philip.Edwards@csiro.au Web: www.atnf.csiro.au Contact UsPhone: 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176Email: Enquiries@csiro.au Web: www.csiro.au CSIRO. ATUC report May 2010: ATNF Science Operations