Next:
Preface
Version 3: Jan 2003
P. J. Diamond, S. T. Garrington, A. G. Gunn, J. P. Leahy, A. McDonald, T. W. B. Muxlow, A. M. S. Richards, P. Thomasson
Preface
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
1. Overview
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Observing procedure
1.3 Polarization
1.4 Observing and imaging limitations
1.4.1 Angular size limits
1.4.2 Bandwidths, channels and integration times
1.4.3 Aberrations
1.5 Types of observation
1.5.1 Continuum observations
1.5.2 Extending Spatial Sensitivity
1.5.3 Spectral line observations
1.5.4 Pulsar observations
1.5.5 Fringe-frequency - delay source search observations
1.5.6 Single baseline observations
1.5.7 Astrometry
1.6 Data reduction
2. MERLIN Operations
2.1 Applying for time
2.1.1 Combination observations using MERLIN and other instruments
2.2 Time allocation
2.3 Scheduling of observations
2.4 Access to the data: arrangements for visiting Jodrell Bank
2.5 What is involved in MERLIN data reduction
2.6 Conditions of use
3. Aperture Synthesis for Beginners
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Aperture Synthesis
3.2.1 The two-element interferometer
3.2.2 Synthesis array
3.3 Special features of synthesis imaging
3.4 Brightness: definitions and units
3.5 Resolution
3.6 Field of view
3.7 Response to extended emission
3.7.1 Combining data from different arrays
3.8 Calibration
3.8.1 Overview
3.8.2 Flux scale determination
3.8.3 Gain-elevation corrections
3.8.4 Phase-referencing
3.8.5 Bandpass calibration
3.8.6 Polarization calibration
3.8.7 Importance of calibration and editing
3.8.8 Summary of calibration procedure
3.9 Mapping
3.9.1 Imaging
3.9.2 Deconvolution
3.9.3 Self-calibration
3.10 Special topics in imaging
3.10.1 Weighting
3.10.2 Fringe-rate techniques
3.10.3 Fringe-rate mapping
3.10.4 Fringe-frequency - delay source search observations
3.11 Spectral line mapping
3.12 Further reading
4. The MERLIN System
4.1 Location of telescopes
4.2 Links to outstations
4.3 Signal transmission and processing
4.4 Correlator configuration
4.4.1 Maximum bandwidth and number of correlations
4.4.2 Bandwidths, Channels, Data Rate etc.
4.4.3 Observing with the MK-CA baseline at 6-7 GHz
4.4.4 Correlator gating
4.5 Observing with MERLIN
4.5.1 Minimum detectable fluxes
4.5.2 Sensitivity, deep fields and use of the Lovell telescope
4.5.3 Coherence time
4.5.4 Aberrations
4.5.4.1 Bandwidth- and time-smearing
4.5.4.2 Planning observations liable to aberrations
4.5.4.3 3-D sky effects and data processing
4.5.5 151 MHz, 408 MHz and L-band observations
4.5.6 5 GHz and 22 GHz observations
4.6 The baseline coverage of MERLIN
4.6.1 Introduction
4.6.2 How long to observe?
4.6.3 Resolution
4.6.4 The largest detectable continuous structure and the image quality.
4.6.5 Multi-Frequency Synthesis and Faraday rotation mapping
4.7 Summary of principal results
5. MERLIN Data Reduction
5.1 Initial calibration
5.1.1 Overview
5.1.2 Loading the data
5.1.3 Plotting and editing the data
5.1.4 Guidelines to editing
5.1.5 Setting the flux scale
5.1.6 More details of flux scale determination
5.1.7 Applying initial calibration and writing FITS files
5.1.8 Plotting the spectrum of raw data
5.1.9 Initial processing of spectral line data
5.1.10 Fringe-frequency - delay mapping.
5.2 Calibration procedures using
AIPS
5.2.1 Data loading and housekeeping
5.2.2 Bandpass, flux scale, and baseline-dependent calibration.
5.2.3 Inspecting and editing in
AIPS
5.2.4 Calibration using the phase reference source
5.2.5 Position accuracy
5.2.6 Polarization calibration
5.3 Imaging and self-calibration
5.3.1 The use of
CLEAN
boxes.
5.3.2 Confusion and wide-field mapping.
5.3.3 Interactive
CLEAN
ing and self-calibration.
5.3.4 Reverse phase referencing
5.3.5 Polarization and spectral index mapping.
5.4 Spectral line
UV
data processing
5.4.1 Data loading, setting the velocity and editing
5.4.2 Bandpass and flux calibration
5.4.3 Phase Referencing Line Data and Frequency Offsets
5.4.3.1 Time labels
5.4.4 Inspecting the spectral profile
5.4.5 Polarization corrections
5.4.6 Observing at constant frequency
5.5 Spectral line imaging and self-calibration
5.5.1 Futher datacube processing
5.5.2 Spectral polarization mapping and self-calibration
5.5.3 Separating continuum and line images
5.6 Single baseline data
5.6.1 6-GHz single baseline maser data reduction
5.6.2 Mapping single baseline data
5.6.3 Fringe-rate mapping
5.7 Combining data from different arrays and M.F.S.
5.7.1 Experiment design and simple continuum data combining
5.7.2 Difficulties in combined array continuum data reduction
A. References
B. Glossary
C. Calibration Sources
C.1 Flux, polarization and bandpass calibration sources
C.2 Phase-reference sources
D. MERLIN
UV
Coverage, Beams and Weightings.
D.1 Some examples
D.2 The
UV
coverage of MERLIN
D.3 The MERLIN beam and the effects of weighting.
E. A Description of the MERLIN
PIPELINE
E.1 Overview
E.2 The Complete Pipeline
E.2.1 Data Loading and Multifile Construction
E.2.2 Calibration 1 - The Point Source Calibrator
E.2.3 Calibration 2 - The Phase Calibrator
E.2.4 Calibration 3 - Polarization
E.2.5 Target Imaging
E.2.6 Processing a Typical MERLIN Continuum Run
E.2.7 Some Useful Notes When Selecting Individual Options
E.2.7.1 Source Names:
E.2.7.2 Point Source:
E.2.7.3 Pt. Source Flux:
E.2.7.4 Phase Calibrator:
E.2.7.5 No. of Stations:
E.2.7.6 Reference Antenna:
E.2.7.7 Observing Band:
E.2.7.8 No. of Channels:
E.2.7.9 Map Cellsize:
E.2.7.10 Amplitude Solutions:
E.2.7.11 Phase Calibrator Structure:
E.2.7.12 Target Image Size:
E.2.7.13 Target Search:
E.2.7.14 Shift Target:
E.2.7.15 Self-Calibration:
E.2.7.16 Data Reweighting:
E.2.7.17 Polarization:
E.2.7.18 AIPS Disk:
E.2.7.19 Data Loading and Sorting:
E.2.7.20 Data Archiving:
E.2.8
PIPELINE
Output:
E.2.8.1 Output Plots and Listings:
E.2.8.2 What to Check:
E.2.9 Pipeline Problems
E.2.9.1 A Broken Pipe
E.2.9.2 Point Source Calibration Problems:
E.2.9.3 Phase Calibration Problems:
E.2.9.4 Target Imaging Problems:
E.3 Post Pipeline Processing
E.3.1 Further Processing Within AIPS
F. Flowcharts
G. MERLIN
AIPS
Settings and Runfiles.
G.1
AIPS
++
G.2 Some
AIPS
tips
G.2.1
UV
data reduction
G.2.2 Imaging and related processses
G.2.3 Plots for publication
G.2.4 Runfiles
G.2.5 MERLIN data reduction
AIPS
procedures and runfiles
G.2.5.1 Educational demonstrations
H. An Introduction to
AIPS
at JBO
H.1 What is
AIPS
H.2 How to start
AIPS
H.2.1 Before you start
AIPS
H.2.2 To start
AIPS
H.2.3 To start
AIPS
remotely
H.2.4 Some
AIPS
jargon:
H.2.5 Resetting default values
H.3 Loading data
H.3.1 To load a FITS file from disc
H.3.2 To list your
AIPS
files
H.3.3 To mount a tape and load an
AIPS
file
H.4 How to save
AIPS
data
H.4.1 To a local tape drive
H.4.2 Using a remote tape drive
H.4.3 To list
AIPS
files on a tape
H.4.4 Writing an
AIPS
file to disc
H.5 How
data is managed in
AIPS
H.5.1 The file header
H.5.2 Extension tables
H.5.3 To index a
file
H.5.4 To rename an
AIPS
file
H.5.5 To list the contents of an
AIPS
file
H.6 Task management, procedures and loops
H.6.1 Saving and getting
H.6.2 Do loops
H.6.3 Name referencing
H.6.4 Procedures
H.7 Summary
About this document ...
Anita Richards
2003-09-11
![\includegraphics[scale=0.8]{title.ps}](newch0-img18.gif)
![\includegraphics[scale=0.85]{MERLIN-map.ps}](newch0-img19.gif)
data is managed in AIPS
file
file