The My ATCA sidebar

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On the right-hand side of the My ATCA page there will always be displayed the My ATCA sidebar. The sidebar is made up of a number of containers, each of which is topped by a grey rounded bar, with a label on the left. Each container can be collapsed so that only the bar is displayed, by clicking on the bar itself; it can then be expanded by clicking on the bar again.

This page will describe the contents of each available sidebar container.

Time

This container displays the current UTC time and the local sidereal time (LST) at the ATCA. The sidebar gets the time from your computer's clock, so if your clock is not set correctly, or your timezone is not correctly described, then these times will likely not correspond to reality.

Array

This container gives an overview of the state of the antennas in the array. Each of the six antennas are represented by a column, headed by the antenna name (CA01, CA02, ...). The values in this container are updated every 10 seconds.

Each subsequent line shows the state of the antenna:

• State: this is what caobs thinks the antenna is doing. It can be one of:
  • OFF-LINE: the antenna is not currently part of the array.
  • DISABLED: the antenna is part of the array, but is not being directly controlled by caobs.
  • STOWED: the antenna is in the safe stow position, but is ready to move on command.
  • IDLE: the antenna is pointing at some arbitrary position, but is not currenty being commanded to move.
  • SLEWING: the antenna is currently moving towards a new sky position.
  • TRACKING: the antenna is currently tracking a sky position.
  Each state is also represented by a coloured background to make it easier to quickly ascertain the state of the array.
• Feed: the receiver that is currently on axis. One of 16cm, 6/3cm, 15mm, 7mm, 3mm
• Wrap: which cable wrap hemisphere the antenna is in. One of N (north) or S (south).
• Az: the current dial azimuth of the antenna.
• El: the current dial elevation of the antenna.

Source

This container gives some useful information about the source currently being observed. The source name is shown both in the container's bar and at the top left of the container. The coordinates of the source (usually RA and Dec) are shown at the bottom of the container.

The rest of the information in this container pertains to the source's position in the sky. The hour angle (HA) indicates the difference between the current LST and the source's RA, and is given in hours. This value relies on your computer's clock being accurate, and is updated in real-time. The hour angle at which this source will set (Set HA) is also shown; note that the source will rise at the negative value of this hour angle. This information is then summarised as a time-to-set or time-to-rise figure (Set time or Rise time).

These rising/setting times are all calculated based on the ATCA's elevation limit of 12 degrees, by default. For some observations though (eg. at millimetre wavelengths), the atmosphere will become a problem at elevations greater than this. If you want the sidebar to calculate the rising/setting times to a different horizon, then change the value in the 'Elevation at rise/set (degrees)' text input box under the 'Sidebar' container in the 'Preferences' tab and press Enter.