Table of Contents

Heterodyne Observations

This is a brief introduction to heterodyne observing at the CSO. It continues from the general Introduction to Observing.

Quick Start

This guide outlines a common observing scenario, simultaneous Beam Switching observations of three CO isotopologues in the (2-1) lines. There are many possible variations.

  1. Connect to the VNC desktops. Two desktops are used, one for the UIP and the other for the spectrometer displays. (This is more flexible than one large desktop.)
    mycomp> csovnc.pl -C -l user uip
    mycomp> csovnc.pl -C -l user spectro
    • In the UIP desktop, there are two xterms on the right side:
      1. The upper one displays the telescope status, updated once per second.
      2. The lower one is for the UIP.
  2. In the UIP xterm, log into your account then start UIP.
    kilauea% ssh user@kilauea
    kilauea% uip
  3. If necessary, enable control mode.
    UIP> pundit true
  4. Open the shutter. Avoid the sun. When remote observing, wait until one hour after sunset.
    UIP> shutter /open
  5. Create a data file.
    UIP> data yyyy-mm-dd
  6. Open source and line Catalogs, if necessary.
    UIP> catalog sources
    UIP> catalog lines /line
  7. Start the Secondary mirror wobbler for Beam Switching. Tuning the servo takes about 5 min. For example, 120 arcsec amplitude at 0.534 Hz.
    UIP> secondary 120 0.534
    • Check the status of the servo tuning.
      UIP> secondary
  8. Select the receiver and verify the teritary mirror position.
    • For the sidecab receivers, first place the telescope at 25° zenith angle.
      UIP> za 25
      UIP> instrument [RX230 | RX345 | RX460 | RX690]
      UIP> tertiary /sidecab
    • For the Cassegrain receivers, first remove the mirror covers and manually rotate the tertiary mirror.
      UIP> instrument [RX345X | RX805]
      UIP> tertiary /cassegrain
  9. If necessary, load the appropriate pointing file.
    UIP> point rx_name
  10. Tune the receiver. For example, the standard tuning for three CO isotopologues.
    UIP> lo 12co2-1 /side up /if 5.28
    Older receivers require manual tuning.
  11. Configure the spectrometers (FFTS1, FFTS2, AOS5).
    UIP> spec 2 /ffts2 /ffts1w 5.28 /res
  12. Calibrate and measure the system temperature.
    UIP> cal
  13. Measure the Pointing with Beam Switching.
    UIP> spec /base 2500 3500 4700 5700
    UIP> five 20 /ffts1 /range 4000 4200
    • Use the Orrery to select pointing sources.
  14. Take a reference spectrum of the pointing source with Beam Switching.
    UIP> chop 2
  15. Track the target source.
    UIP> obs target
  16. Calibrate and measure the system temperature.
    UIP> cal
  17. Set the integration time.
    UIP> spec 10
  18. Observe the target.

After observing

  1. Close the shutter. This takes 10-15 min. When remote observing, please close one hour before sunrise.
    UIP> shutter /close
    • If the shutter doesn't close, follow these instructions. Please report problems to the staff.
  2. Stow the telescope
    UIP> stow
    After sunrise, wait until the shutter is no more than 15% open before using the stow command. Please do not let the Sun directly illuminate any part of the telescope structure. Check the CSO webcams.
  3. Stop the secondary wobbler
    UIP> sec /stop
  4. Turn off the IF processor in the AOS5 rack.
  5. Turn off the receiver.
    • For the 230/460 GHz receiver:
      UIP> lo /off
    • For the older receivers: shutdown procedure
    • For Barney: shutdown procedure
  6. Replace the Cassegrain mirror covers.
  7. Exit from the UIP.
    UIP> exit
  8. Exit from your account but please do not close the UIP xterm in the VNC desktop.
  9. Stow any ladders or other equipment.
  10. Return the pointing log book to the shelf.
    Heterodyne observers please add your nightly pointing sheet to the end the log book and return the book to the bookshelf.
  11. Please submit an Observer Report.
  12. Logout from kilauea and other computers.
  13. Turn off all the lights and heaters in the building. Lock both entry doors.

Drive safely!

Sideband Identification

The CSO has DSB receivers with equal gain in the two sidebands. To determine if specific lines are in the upper or the lower side band, change the LO frequency. Lines in the two sidebands will shift in opposite directions. Lines in the image sideband will shift twice as far as lines in the signal sideband.

If the atmospheric transmission in the two sidebands is different, Calibration correction will be necessary.

Troubleshooting

These older documents may contain obsolete information. Use with caution.