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Guide to Remote Observing with the ATCA

Remote observing from sites other than the ATCA should be possible provided that appropriate computing facilities (a unix workstation or X-terminal) and computing/network support are available. Care whould be taken to ensure that your institution's security measures do not prevent Remote Observations from your site. For further advice, please contact the Head of Science Operations, Phil Edwards (Philip.Edwards[at]csiro.au) in addition to following the steps below.

Before the Observations

Starting Up a Remote Observing Session

Since observing is done through VNC, you will be able to effect current observations as soon as the connection is set up. Sometimes (always if you use the 'noshare' switch) when you connect to the vnc server it will kick other viewers off so, please, do not frivolously connect to the vncserver - and be prepared to reconnect if your viewer dissapears while you are observing

  • If connecting from outside ATNF you neeed to establish an ssh tunnel into the ATNF VNCs:
  • Connect your VNC client:
  • Note: The VNC passwords are not 'standard' passwords. You may need to contact the Duty Astronomer or Narrabri staff to get the correct passwords

    Observe as if you were in Narrabri

    Ensure that you exchange telephone numbers with the DA.

    Some useful phone numbers

    Emergency Services:
    (fire, police, ambulance)
    000 Additional, 0 needed for an outside line
     
    Narrabri
    Switch:02 6790 4000 
    ATCA Control Room:02 6790 4033 and 02 6790 4032 
    Mopra Control Desk:02 6790 4088 
    Observer's Area:02 6790 4031 - near PMON rack
     02 6790 4048 - near Mopra corner
     02 6790 4022 - middle of observers area
    Lodge:02 6790 4027 
    Duty Astronomers Rooms02 6790 4008 and 02 6790 4009 
    Non-PABX Phone:02 6795 9274
     
    Marsfield
    Remote Observing Room02 9372 4548 and 02 9372 4533 
     
    Parkes
    Parkes Control Room02 6861 1755 
     
    CSIRO National Call Centre1300 36 3400 

    How to Finish Off

    When you have finished your observations, ring the Duty Astronomer or next observer to let them know that you have finished.

    Don't forget to fill in the Observers' Questionnaire

    If you've had any problems, please submit a Fault Report

     


    Original: Baerbel Koribalski
    Modified: Robin Wark ( 5-Nov-2007), Phil Edwards (22-oct-2008)
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