Biomolecules Project
Frequencies, schedule files and procedures for the Biomolecules
project.
Observing Procedure
For an operations overview in a checklist format see the observing
procedure page.
- If something doesn't work and you can't fix it, give Maria a ring
on either 02 9315 0745 or 0417 257294 in order to fix the problem quickly.
- Observe either Sgr B2 or Orion for the Project.
- Perform a pointing every 2 hours or so, depending on conditions.
- The Biomolecules project is more concerned by long integration times than
accurate calibration, so frequent Tsys measurements are not necessary, as
in the Hot Cores project. Use your discression and your knowledge of the weather
conditions. Every time you change source should be fine.
- If the weather is good set integration times up to 2 hours (large number
of repeats).
- Total Observation time = (Cycles + 1) X 10s X Scans in Set X Repeats
- Don't forget to close the data file after each source!
Lines and Frequencies
Lines to be observed, listed in order of priority.
| Line |
Frequency Tuner
(GHz) |
Frequency
TCS GUI (MHz) |
Comments |
| Glycine II |
100.332387 |
100332.387 |
Priority 1 |
| Glycine II |
92.881429 |
92881.429 |
Priority 2 |
| Prop Oxide |
98.66208 |
98662.08 |
Priority 3 |
|
Glycine I
|
95.990004 |
95990.004 |
Priority 4 |
| Prop Oxide |
88.348460 |
88348.460 |
Priority 5 |
| SiO maser |
86.243442 |
86243.442 |
Maser Pointing Frequency- for reference only.
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Note: These lines are not preset in the tuner GUI. When choosing a line
from the rest frequency box choose 'other'. Enter in one of the frequencies
given above in the 'f sky' box and click the 'Set LO Frequency' button.
Tune as normal (see the tuning guide).
Source Catalogs
Catalog files in a format readable by TCS
| Catalog File |
Directory on Warrum |
Comment |
| maria.2003 |
/c/observer/unsw_bio/ |
Source list for the Biomolecules Project |
| Point_SiO |
/c/observer/unsw_bio/ |
Pointing sources used for the Hot Core Project |
The file contains the following columns: name, ra, dec, J2000, vlsr,
delimited by spaces.
| Name |
RA |
DEC |
System |
VLSR |
| Orion |
05:35:14.5 |
-05:22:29.6 |
J2000 |
+5.0 |
| Sgr B2 |
17:47:19.8 |
-28:22:17.0 |
J2000 |
+65.0 |
These sources rise after the Hot Core sources set, so plan who is going to
observe when well in advance!
Directories
Useful directories to know.
| Directory |
Computer |
Use |
| /c/data/MPCCC_1/corr/dat/ |
Warrum |
Raw .RPF data files files are written here. Crosslinked between
mpccc and warrum. |
| obs$0:[multi.sched] |
Mopra |
Schedule files. Use 'schedput' to ftp over new files. |
| /c/observer/users/ |
Warrum |
User Directories |
| /c/observer/unsw_bio/ |
Warrum |
Biomolecules directory |
| obs$0:[multi.point] |
Mopra |
sio_point looks for raw .RPF files in this directory |
Schedule Files
The number of times to repeats the schedule file is not included within the
schedule file for flexability reasons. Always remember to set the "repeats"
box in the TCS GUI to the value indicated below.
| Schedule |
Correlator Config |
Cycles
Scans |
Repeats |
Mode |
Ref Posn |
Use |
| pnt_test2 |
ac_64_1024_2f |
2 / 6 |
1
|
5pt cross |
+15m lat |
quick pointing |
| pnt_test3 |
ac_64_1024_2f |
3 / 6
|
1 |
5pt cross |
+15m lat |
more sensitive pointing
|
|
maria_bio
|
ac_64_1024_2 |
12 / 3 |
Set Manually
|
OFF-ON- OFF |
+1d long |
Biomolecules survey |
Total Observation time = (Cycles + 1) X 10s X Scans in Set
X Repeats
Logs
Keep the log-book up to date each observing run recording:
- Universal Tme
- Source name
- RPF file name
- Detection?
- System Temperature (Tsys)
- Pointing corrections (delat fx and delta fz, calculated by sio_point) and
total offsets (given in camon).
- Weather conditions
Before leaving Mopra don't forget to photocopy the log to bring back to UNSW.
Data & Reduction
The lines we are looking for here are very weak so don't expect to see anything
on SPD or DFM. If you do they will probably be adjacent lines.
- At the end of the observing run write all data to a CD-ROM and backup your
data to MINOS.
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