Observations with the Effelsberg dish are easy and straightforward. However you must well prepare the observations, be strict with typing the operational command and know what you are doing. All the settings of the telescope receivers, specifications of the observing area on the sky etc. can be done with a few files. The files should be prepared on the VAX computer standing on the right of the operating console.
1. The position of the target (e.g. IC10) in B1950 coordinates
2. The size (in arcmin) of the area on the sky you want to map. Single map, so called scan, consist of several subscans which correspond to single scanning of the telescope along RA or DEC through the sky area. At 3.6cm the standard step between subscans is 30". For example the scan 17 x 16 will be done in 2*16+1=33 subscans with 30"’ separation.
3. The name of your amplitude calibrator. Take 3C286 if visible above the horizon or 3C138 (they are almost on the opposite sides of the sky so always one of them is visible).
4. The name of your pointing calibrator. Find a nearby strong radio source close to your target in the so called “Helmut" catalog (Kuhr). It is the green book in the operating room in Effelsberg. The important is the “SNAME" of the source, because it is recognized by the operating program. An example of SNAME: 3C48. You use this name during observations.
Needed files:
obsein.pro - files with aliases for setting the receiver and the mod
of observations - already prepared by R. Beck
36back.obs - backend settings - already prepared
36point.obs - settings for cross-scan observations (for pointing) of
- the amplitude or pointing calibrator -prepared
36calkl.obs, 36calkb.obs - parameters for making a small map of the amplitude
calibrator - prepared
ic10b.obs, ic10l.obs - parameters for a map of your target for scanning in RA and DEC (IC10 in this case) - you must prepare it, see below. Nonzero value for VLAM or VBET must be in the last of this two rows. Change DLAM, DBET, OLAM, OBET, SRP2, SNAM, SLOP, SBOB
On the VAX machine eff100 prepare the observing file (e.g. ic10b.obs):
login: observer
password: ask the operator
set def [observer.kont.36] change directory to 6cm
dir list the directory (ls also works)
dir *.obs list files
type obsein.pro list the file obsein.pro
print obsein.pro print obsein.pro
copy n4569l_big.obs ic10l.obs copy file
purge ic10.log delete file
edit ic10l.obs start editing ic10.obs
use arrows for movements
bckspace
‘ - delete
PF4 -delete line
ctr-Z and exit - to exit editing with saving or with quit to not save