[mmaimcal] [Almasci_chile] Some thoughts on ALMA calibrator sources

[Bryan Butler]

for EVLA, we have converted many calibrator databases to a common format 
for use within our OPT (the equivalent of phase II of the OT for ALMA). 
  the current list is: GBT, ATCA, VLA, PdBI, SMA, VLBA (2 versions), 
CARMA.  of course there is quite a bit of commonality in the source 
lists between these since they borrowed from each other.  ATCA has a 
newer version than we copied, but i haven't gotten a copy of it from 
them yet.  SMA is ticklish about using their calibrator database, so you 
have to get permission from them.

this is all in an oracle database.

each of the sources conforms to our source model (part of our Project 
Data Model).  i can probably get hold of a diagram (UML, mostly likely) 
to describe what goes into their definition.  it would be best if we 
could have a common definition between ALMA and EVLA.  we have had talks 
with alison peck and jeff mangum about this in the past; maybe it's time 
to pick up those discussions again.

	-bryan


Al Wootten wrote, On 5/10/10 09:39:
> Hi Anita
> 
> There is a wiki for discussion of the development of requirements for a 
> calibrator database.  It should be a framework for pushing the 
> discussion along--Jeff updated it in June of last year.
> 
> http://almasw.hq.eso.org/almasw/bin/view/Archive/AsaCatalogues
> 
> I'd suggest that to be a good place to put your draft for discussion.
> 
> The science group task assignments are at:
> http://wikis.alma.cl/bin/view/AIV/ScienceGroupTaskAssignments
> It looks like Stuartt is in SCO this week; you could chat with him and 
> Richard and Rudiger, I'd suggest.
> 
> Clear skies,
> Al
> 
> Anita M. S. Richards wrote:
>> Al et al.,
>>
>> Some time ago I was asked by Andreas to produce a document on metadata 
>> requirements for ALMA calibration sources, with a view (among other 
>> things) to defining what information could be extracted from the 
>> pipeline, as well as standardising descriptions of existing catalogues.  
>> This was in parallel with some work for the VO on metadata requirements 
>> for interferometry.
>>
>> Anyway, I talked to some of the relevant people and produced a draft, 
>> but I am very aware than I may not have foound all the relevant 
>> material. Also I do not know where to go next with it.  Since I am in 
>> Santiago this week and then at the OSF, if there is anyone who might 
>> find this useful I can send them the draft and discuss what to do next?
>>
>> thanks very much
>>
>> Anita
>>
>> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>> Dr. A.M.S. Richards, UK ARC Node, Room 3.135
>> Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, Alan Turing Building, University 
>> of Manchester, M13 9PL
>> +44 (0)161 275 4243
>> and
>> MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire SK11 
>> 9DL, U.K. +44 (0)1477 571321 (tel) 571618 (fax)
>>
>> "Socialism or barbarism?" Rosa Luxemburg (1915)
>>
>> On Mon, 10 May 2010, Al Wootten wrote:
>>
>>> Hi folks
>>>
>>> It is a good time to consider this subject again.
>>>
>>> As we discussed at the Dec 09 Sci IPT meeting the SPT survey sources
>>> presented in:
>>> http://arxiv.org/abs/0912.2338
>>> support the predictions made in the numerous ALMA memos on the subject.
>>>  The area surveyed was very limited but of course this is a dynamic
>>> field with Planck and the SPT still exploring.
>>>
>>> I think sourceCatalog.py is a derivative of SMA and other catalogs but
>>> ALMA is reaching the point where it can contribute usefully to compendia.
>>>
>>> There was a plan at some point for a comprehensive EVLA/VLB/ALMA catalog
>>> but I do not know where that stands or whether ALMA needs an independent
>>> initiative.  Temporal measurements are critical--certain SBs run in
>>> March used calibrators which had worked well for the SMA but whose flux
>>> had faded to uselessness even for the more sensitive ALMA 3-antenna 
>>> array.
>>>
>>> Clear skies,
>>> Al
>>>
>>> Harvey Liszt wrote:
>>>> Something to keep boredom at bay. Attached.
>>>>
>>>> H
>>>>
>>>>
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