2.6 Pre-observation Checklist

Ready to observe? Check that all the following tasks have been done:

• Determined sources to use for:
  • setup calibrator
  • primary flux calibrator
  • bandpass calibrator
  • phase calibrator(s)
  • pointing calibrator(s) (only if doing reference pointing)
  • polarisation calibrator(s) (only if doing polarisation studies)
• Checked that all sources are visible during observing time.
• Prepared a schedule file using the CABB web scheduler for:
  • array setup
  • calibration
  • program observations
• Used the sensitivity calculator to make sure that integration time on calibrators is sufficient.
• Ensured that turret movements are limited to once every 15 minutes or longer.
• Generated a mosaic pointing file (only if doing mosaic observations), and copied it to the appropriate place on XBONES.
• Generated an ephemeris for the solar system object (only if doing solar system observations), and copied it to the appropriate place on XBONES.
• Calculated how much data the observations will generate, and obtained enough disk space to accommodate this.
• Checked for possible problems, and made contingency plans for:
  • Antenna shadowing
  • Wrong time range for flux calibrator observations
  • Bad weather forecast during observations
• Checked current issues page for issues that may cause problems with the observations.
  http://www.narrabri.atnf.csiro.au/observing/CurrentIssues.html
• Checked that remote observations are possible (only if remotely observing).
• Contacted observatory staff and duty astronomer if assistance will be required during observations.