user committee, garching april 30 2010 alma operations interaction with and support to the users...

User Committee, Garching April 30 2010User Committee, Garching April 30 2010

ALMA OperationsALMA Operations

interaction with and support to the usersinteraction with and support to the users

Paola Andreani


Meaning of ALMA Operations and the Joint ALMA

Observatory


Science OperationsScience OperationsAstronomerAstronomer’’ssperspectiveperspective

Principles:

Non-experts should be able to use ALMA

Dynamic scheduler to match observing conditions

Reliable and consistent calibration

Data public in timely fashion

User Committee, Garching April 30 2010User Committee, Garching April 30 2010 Paola Andreani

OperationSupport

Facility (OSF)

ALMA Operations Sites in Chile

60 MB/s(peak)

6 MB/s(average)

Antenna Operations Site (AOS)

Santiago Central Office (SCO)

array scheduling + operationsquick-look, maintenance and repair

issues of callsPRC processSB checkspipeline data reductionquality assessmentPopulation of the archive


High-level concepts forHigh-level concepts forScience OperationsScience Operations

• Observations only in service observing mode with flexible (dynamic) scheduling.

• Observations 24h/day interrupted by maintenance periods.• All observations executed in the form of scheduling blocks (SBs).• Default output: reliable images, calibrated according to the

calibration plan.• The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) is responsible for the data

product quality.• All science and calibration raw data are captured and archived.


Science Deliverables:• uv-plane astronomical source and calibration data.• Processed images, with supporting information on the data

processing and quality assurance.• Off-line data reduction software, including user support for

installation and basic usage.• Software tools for proposal and observation preparation,

including user documentation.• ALMA users manual.

User support:• Web pages• Phase I and phase II support• Helpdesk• f2f support• Data delivery• Archive


*Tokyo*Garching

*Cvlle

*Santiago*ALMA site

ALMA Science Operations sitesOSF, Santiago and the ARCs


Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO)

• ALMA is operated by the JAO.• The ALMA Regional Centres (ARCs) form an integral part of

JAO operations.

ALMA Director

Department ofScience Operations

Department ofTechnical Services

Department ofAdministration

ARCs(NA, EU, EA)

SafetyExecutives

(NA, EU, EA)HR EPO


The Regional centres


ALMA Operations: Three ALMA Regional Centres - ARCs

Joint ALMA Observatory

NA ARCEU ARC (ESO)

EA ARC

NAOJ

“Satellite” EU ARCs

NAASC

ARCs provide user interface, archive,software toolsdata delivery

Astronomers on duty

Enhanced User Services

Enhanced services are needed to provide advanced user support, algorithm development, student programs, EPO, grants

DSO provides:• Array operations• Scheduling of projects• Execution of observations• Data quality assurance and trend analysis• Calibration plan maintenance• Delivery of data to the archives• Archive operations• Pipeline operations


The ARCs and their relation to the JAOThe ARCs and their relation to the JAO


Work flow of ALMA Operations


Getting ALMA time


Archive User Interface (User Portal will be based on this)


ALMA User PortalHelpdesk

Proj.TrackrArchiveUser Preferences

John HibbardNRAO, 520 Edgemont RdCharlotesville VA [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Executive: NAmPreferred ARC: NAm…

Proposals

User Portal provides access to all on-line end-user ALMA applications. Some applications available only after authentication

ALMA User PortalLogin

Username:

Password:

Helpdesk

Proj.TrackrArchiveProposals

User Portal


Observers’ affiliation identified on observing proposal

• P.I. (name, info)• Co-I 1• Co-I 2• Co-I 3• Co-I 4

…

NAEU EA ChileNon-ALMA

member

X X X X X

X X X X X

X X X X X

X X X X X

…

(Default associations filled in from users User Profile preferences)

Affiliation


Observers’ affiliation identified in User Portal profile

• Eligible Affiliations• Preferred ARC for

support

NAEU EA ChileNon-ALMA member

XX X

X X X X X(checkbox; i.e. multiple selections allowed)

(radio button; i.e. only single selection allowed)


the ALMA software shall offer an easy to useinterface to any user and should not assumedetailed knowledge of millimetre astronomyand of the ALMA hardware

The ALMA observing tool


Getting ALMA time

Joint ALMA Observatory issues calls for proposals

• Register on the ALMA web page• Prepare a proposal with the ALMA Observing Tool• user can contact their ARC node for assistance

European ARC provides documentation

ALMA Observatory (with ARCs help) coordinates refereeing process Program Review Committee ranks proposals

Executives approval

Phase I

MAKE A PROPOSAL!

Scientific case Instrument setup: frequency rms

S/N source extension

spatial resolution


The ALMA Observing toolThe ALMA Observing tool

• Split Observing Programs in two parts:• a Phase I Observing Proposal

– emphasis on the scientific justification of the proposed observations.

• a Phase II Observing Program– submitted only if observing time has been granted.

• Set of Scheduling Blocks (SBs)– required to drive observing with ALMA.– the SB contains a full description of how the science target and the

calibration targets are to be observed

• sets of SBs can be combined with a description for the post processing of the data, ultimately resulting in an image.


Getting ALMA time

Phase I: Proposals are submitted using ALMA Observing Tool

Phase II: Successful PIs submit observing programme using the Observing Tool

Preparation of the scheduling blocks

European ARC helps with observation planning and validates observing schedule

Phase II


The ALMA observing tool

More details in Liz’s presentation


ALMA helpdesk (kayako, being evaluated for ALMA)


JAO ARCs

PS Phase 1

Project

PRC

PS Phase 2

Technicalfeasibility

Scheduling

JAO MediumTerm Queue

LongTerm Queue

Archive

ALMA DATA FLOW

Blocks


Getting ALMA data


Getting ALMA dataGetting ALMA data Queue based dynamic scheduling

Programs are composed of 30-60 min scheduling blocks

Raw data pass through multi-tiered quality assurance

Combination of on-site duty astronomer, ARC staff, and automated checks

Data proceeds to pipeline and archiving

Data available from ARC (ESO) within ~2 weeks (TBD, quicker if internet available)

Pipeline products (images and calibrated u-v data), raw data, off-line data processing software made available to Pis

Expert hands-on data reduction help from ARC nodes staff provided on request, helpdesk also available at ESO


Main ALMAArchive

ALMARegional CenterNorth America

ALMARegional Center

Europe

ALMARegional Center

Japan/Asia

ALMAScienceArchive

ALMAFrontendArchive

Archive nodes at the OSF, SCO and the ARCs

•ARC archive nodes delivered, commissioned and activated as soon as possible after SCO archive.

•During science operations ARC nodes are synchronized with the central archive through internet (small data sets) or via physical media. OSF connected to SCO via high-bandwidth. It MUST be always

possible to operate ALMA even if the internet link does not work

The ALMA archives andThe ALMA archives anddata distributiondata distribution


Data reductionData reduction


Data Available for download

• Available data:– Raw UV visibilities– Calibration & flagging tables– Casapy reduction scripts– Imaging products (calibrated cubes & reference

images)

– Source visibilities with calibration & flagging applied


Offline Data Processing

• Download CASA & CASA documentation/guides/use cases– Interface: JAO & ARC webs– Actors: JAO & ARCs, assembling & posting material

• Attend CASA tutorial

– Interface & Actors: ARCs, including nodes• Ask questions

– Interface: UP:helpdesk– Actor: ARCs

• Visit ARC or ARC node for face-to-face support– Interface & Actors: ARCs, including nodes


suite of C++ application libraries packaged through a Python scripting interfaceextensively tested

C.A.S.A.: Common Astronomy Software Applications Primary goals: supporting the data post-processingneeds of the next generation of radio astronomicaltelescopes such as ALMA and EVLA projects

The ALMA offline reduction package (CASA)

See Dirk’s presentationSee Dirk’s presentation


Simulating the dataSimulating the data


protoplanet


In one command, CASA generates o uv data (with thermal noise if desired)o a dirty and cleaned image.o a diagnostic window including• your input• the simulated image


In one command, CASA generates o uv data (with thermal noise if desired)o a dirty and cleaned image.o a diagnostic window including• your input• the simulated image• the difference• uv coverage• and dirty beam or PSF


The ALMA Regional CentresThe ALMA Regional Centres

The European ARC


The European ARC

ARC DepartmentARC Department

Data ManagementOperations DivisionData ManagementOperations Division

Director of OperationsDirector of Operations

Ondrejov(CZ)Ondrejov(CZ)


The ALMA Regional CentresThe ALMA Regional Centres

The European ARC network


: express interest

: ARC nodes

The European ARC network

Paola Andreani European Southern Observatory


The European ARC• Core functions

– Scientific support:Proposal & observation

preparationuser support– Archive Operations:host a copy, data delivery– Astronomer on duty at OSF– Science community activity– User support:User support:f2f helpf2f help

• Non-core functionsData reduction– Advanced pipeline– Extended archive support– Support for special projects– Science community activity:

training, schools, workshops

ESO: ARC DepartmentESO: ARC Department

ARC nodesARC nodes

ESO ARC + nodesESO ARC + nodes

ARC nodesARC nodes

ALMA simulators


The role of the central node (@ ESO)

• Support the European users from proposal preparations to data delivery through the helpdesk

• Validation of the Scheduling Blocks• Help in the technical assessment of the proposals• Provide help to the proposal handling team• Host and maintain a complete mirror of the ALMA

archive• Provide duties at the OSF during observations• Manage the ARC nodes

41


The ESO ARC staff

ARC Astronomers:Scientific user support

(proposal, SB, OSF duties, technical assessment,

proposal handling)Help in managing the nodes

ARC Astronomers:Scientific user support

(proposal, SB, OSF duties, technical assessment,

proposal handling)Help in managing the nodes

ARC scientistsHelpdesk, SW testing and

implementation, SW feedback, archive queries

ARC scientistsHelpdesk, SW testing and

implementation, SW feedback, archive queries

Archive operations (system

administration, data delivery,

database)

Archive operations (system

administration, data delivery,

database)

7 astronomer

s

7 astronomer

s 5 scientists 5 scientists

5 contracto

rs

5 contracto

rs


The role of the ARC nodes

• Provide one to one user support (proposal, SBs preparation, data reduction, archive research)

• Participate in the helpdesk• New software and techniques• Advanced data reduction• Scientific community development • Public relations and outreach


The ARC nodes: staff• Bonn-Bochum-Cologne, Germany (F. Bertoldi)• Current staff: Bonn: 2 staff astronomers (part-time 25-50%), 1 postdoc, IT support; Cologne: 4 staff

astronomers (part time 5-10%); Bochum: 3 staff astronomers (part time 30%) + 2 COFUND Fellows

• Bologna, Italy, (J. Brand)• Current staff: 5 staff astronomers (part-time), 3 postdocs, 1 technician, IT support, 1 staff position

advertised + 1 COFUND Fellow

• Onsala, Denmark, Sweden, Finland (J. Conway)• Current staff: 1 staff astronomers (at 30%), 1 astronomer + 1 SW engineer, maybe 1 more position

• IRAM, Grenoble, France, Spain, Germany (F. Gueth)• Current staff: 5 IRAM staff share the task ALMA/PdB support (10-50 %) 1 postdoc, + 3 SW engineer + 1

COFUND Fellows

• Leiden, The Netherlands, (M. Hogerheijde)• Current staff: 2 staff astronomers (part-time) + 2 postdocs, + 1 COFUND Fellow

• Manchester, United Kingdom (T. Muxlow)• Current staff: 4 staff astronomers (10-50%), 1 staff 100%, + 1 COFUND Fellow

• Ondřejov, Czech Republic (M. Karlický)• Current staff: 4 staff astronomers (10-50%), 1 SW engineer, IT support, 2 postdoc


List of expertise areas inthe EU ARC nodes

• High-frequency observing NL• Wide-field and high-dynamic-range imaging - UK/NL/IRAM (IRAM: short-spacings too)

• Mosaicing - I• Infrastructure for advanced data analysis tools – DE/NL/Nordic (Collaboration between the

Netherlands and Nordic Countries exists; ASTRONET funded ARTIST collaboration between Germany and Netherlands)

• Data handling/GRID-technology- I• Molecular spectroscopy, catalogues, models, NL/DE/CZ• Coordinating surveys/key-projects- I/UK• Polarimetry – DE/IRAM/I/UK• Astrometry – Nordic/DE/UK• Multi-frequency synthesis - Nordic/UK• Array combination imaging- UK (combining ACA and 12m array)• Robust self-calibration methods - Nordic/UK• Atmospheric phase calibration and use of the WVR data – IRAM/Nordic/UK• ALMA imaging simulations – IRAM/UK

• Interoperability and data publication UK• Solar physics CZ


User support and helpdesk

ARC nodes: f2f support,

helpdesk, SW feedback,

community activity

ARC nodes: f2f support,

helpdesk, SW feedback,

community activity


Current TimelineCurrent Timeline• Start of CSV (Commissioning and Science Verification): End 2009 (3

antennas at the AOS)

• ESDP (Early Science Decision Point): Nov 2010 (call for proposals)– Mirror Archives in place– ALMA User Portal activated– ALMA Helpdesk activated

• Deadline for proposals (Early 2011)– PRC review procedure initiated

• Deadline for PRC final ranking (Mid 2011)– Preparation of SBs

• Start Early Science: Autumn 2011– Take and deliver data

• Inauguration: September 2012– More than 50 fully equipped antennas

• Baseline ALMA Construction Complete 2013


Early Science Operations

• Start Science Operations before the ALMA construction finishes

• Minimum requirements for Early Science• Goals for Early Science• Early Science Operations

– One year scheduling period– Time shared with commissioning. At least 33% of available

time will be used for observations


Minimum requirements for Early Science Operations

– 16 antennas with at least 3 receiver bands– Single field interferometry– Baselines out to 250m– Correlator modes (~20): a mixture of pseudo-continuum

(Time Division Mode) and spectral line (Frequency Division Mode) correlator configurations.

– Single dish mapping (zero baseline observations) of extended objects in continuum and spectral line mode

– Calibration better or comparable with existing mm-arrays


Goals for Early Science

• In addition to the above minimum requirements:• Frequency bands: 3, 6, 7 and 9 on all antennas and 4 and 8 on as

many as possible• Array configurations: additional spacings out to a maximum baseline

of 1 km• Observing modes: interferometric pointed mosaics• Polarization: linear and circular polarization observations of compact

sources• Single dish: extended sources mappable in either continuum or

spectral lines, including On-The-Fly (continuous scanning)• Calibration: to a level better than already achieved on established

mm arrays

• In addition to the above minimum requirements:• Frequency bands: 3, 6, 7 and 9 on all antennas and 4 and 8 on as

many as possible• Array configurations: additional spacings out to a maximum baseline

of 1 km• Observing modes: interferometric pointed mosaics• Polarization: linear and circular polarization observations of compact

sources• Single dish: extended sources mappable in either continuum or

spectral lines, including On-The-Fly (continuous scanning)• Calibration: to a level better than already achieved on established

mm arrays

The first Call for Proposals will detail exactly what willbe available for Early Science. The first Call for Proposals will detail exactly what willbe available for Early Science.

user committee, garching april 30 2010 alma operations interaction with and support to the users...

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