ATNF Scientific Support of Facilities
The ATNF offers support to inexperienced observers at its facilities through four main avenues:
- Collaborations between ATNF scientists and external proposers
- The ATNF Friends Scheme
- Support staff at the telescopes
- Duty Astronomers (for ATCA and Mopra only)
A description of each of these levels of support can be found below. The coordinator of the Friends program in 2012-2013 is Alex Hill (at_friends [at] atnf.csiro.au).
ATNF staff members as collaborator
The best outcome for proposers that require an extensive amount of help is often achieved by enlisting an ATNF staff member as a collaborator. Proposers who want a collaborator but are unsure who to contact should email at_friends [at] atnf.csiro.au or refer to the listing of staff expertise.
ATNF Friends Scheme
First-time observers may wish to request a friend who can help them prepare for their observations. Your friend will be an ATNF astronomer, usually based in Sydney, who will help you with the observing strategy and creating schedule files in the weeks leading up to your observations. The friend does not go to the observatory with you.
Friends do not routinely help with data reduction. Observers that require help with ATCA data reduction should visit the ATCA forum.
To request a friend, select Friend in the Help required field on your OPAL coversheet; or if you decide later to request a friend, email at_friends [at] atnf.csiro.au as soon as possible after observing schedules have been published.
While the ATNF Friends Scheme chiefly applies to proposers that have been awarded time on one of the ATNF instruments, we recognise that some proposers will require some consultation at the proposal stage. In this case, please email at_friends [at] atnf.csiro.au.
Support Staff
Assistance from local support staff is available upon arrival at either Narrabri, Parkes or Marsfield (for observations with Mopra only). Local staff will familiarise new observers with the telescope and the observing software, as well as assisting with setting up the telescope (in conjunction with the DA for the ATCA and Mopra) and with any technical difficulties that arise during the observations. For some technically challenging proposals, local staff may be involved with preparations prior to arrival at the telescope.
Duty Astronomers
A duty astronomer (or DA) is provided at Narrabri and will help in the initial setting up of the telescope (both Mopra and the ATCA) and with any problems which arise in the course of the observations. In addition, they may also help with schedule preparation and initial data analysis, although requesting a friend is a better option for observers that require this help, as they will be involved much earlier than the DA. The duty astronomer however has no obligation to participate in the observing.
Staff Expertise
Listed below are some common techniques employed with the ATNF facilities. A more up-to-date list of CASS astrophysics staff and their expertise is available. Staff that posess the required expertise may be contacted for collaborative purposes. For general queries or for techniques that do not fall into any of the categories listed below please contact Alex Hill.
Staff can be contacted by email at Firstname.Surname [at] csiro.au.| ATCA |
|
| Millimetre Spectral Line: |
Mark Wieringa Maxim Voronkov Bjorn Emonts Jill Rathborne Baerbel Koribalski Jessica Chapman (masers) Shari Breen |
| Millimetre Continuum: | Ilana Feain Naomi McClure-Griffiths Bjorn Emonts Shane O'Sullivan Maxim Voronkov Kate Brooks Michael Kesteven |
| Centimetre Spectral Line: | James Caswell Bjorn Emonts Ivy Wong Robert Braun James Green Baerbel Koribalski Lisa Harvey-Smith Jessica Chapman (masers) |
| Centimetre Continuum: | Simon Johnston Ray Norris Shea Brown Emil Lenc Shane O'Sullivan Lisa Harvey-Smith Jessica Chapman |
| Pulsar Binning: | George Hobbs Simon Johnston |
| Polarization Imaging: | Naomi McClure-Griffiths Shane O'Sullivan Julie Banfield Shea Brown Ilana Feain Ron Ekers |
| High Dynamic Range and Widefield Imaging: | Tim Cornwell |
| Parkes |
|
Spectral Line: | James Caswell Baerbel Koribalski Shari Breen Michael Kesteven |
| Polarization and Continuum Imaging: | Patrick Weltevrede Naomi McClure-Griffiths David McConnell |
| Surveys: | Mike Keith |
| Pulsars: | George Hobbs Ryan Shannon John M. Sarkissian Mike Keith |
| Mopra |
|
| Millimetre Single Dish: | Kate Brooks Maxim Voronkov Michael Kesteven Jill Rathborne Shari Breen |
| Tidbinbilla |
|
| Centimeter Single Dish: | James Green | Millimetre Single Dish: | James Green |
| VLBI |
|
| VLBI: | Chris Phillips Tasso Tzioumis |
Please keep in mind that immediately before telescope proposal deadlines ATNF scientific staff are likely to be very busy. Plan accordingly and contact staff well before proposal deadlines.