The Parkes positions/project database

A web interface is now available to an index of Parkes observations. This index is essentially complete for all observations taken at Parkes since 1999, but also includes the large 20-cm multibeam surveys back to 1997.

The URL is www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/cgi-bin/utilities/pks_posproj.cgi or follow "Useful Tools" then "Databases" from the Parkes home page. The interface contains a link to some basic instructions for use, and should be reasonably straightforward for most first-time users. The form contains a link for data requests, and for other related queries and feedback.

Completeness

The index contains observations made with the Parkes observing applications:

♦ TCS (commissioned in May 1999);
♦ tkmulti/multi (since mid-1997);
♦ Multibeam pulsar filterbank (pmctrl/pmdaq).

In general it will not include observations made with:

♦ the "Spectra" observing program (decommissioned in January 1999);
♦ the Caltech Pulsar correlator;
♦ the CPSR1 pulsar baseband recorder (original CPSR);
♦ the old SPOT or 64M interfaces;
♦ VLBI or PTI observations;
♦ any other observations taken with special-purpose user interface.

Scan searching

The algorithm for locating a scan (any observation where the start and stop coordinates differ) will currently match any point in a rectangular box in RA and Dec defined by the scan endpoints. This works well for scans in RA only or Dec only (where the rectangle collapses to a line). A more refined algorithm for better handling of general (diagonal) scans will be implemented soon. Please note that currently no attempt is made to match the coordinates of off-axis beams.

The database will be updated approximately every three months. Comments and/or suggestions should be sent to Stacy Mader.

Stacy Mader
(Stacy.Mader@csiro.au)