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An Introduction to Simdata. Scott Schnee (NRAO) AAS Splinter Meeting – Jan 12, 2011. What is Simdata Good For?. Take a model image and find out how it would look if observed with ALMA. Number of antennas Antenna configuration Length of observation Noise *. Thermal Noise Phase Noise.
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An Introduction to Simdata Scott Schnee (NRAO) AAS Splinter Meeting – Jan 12, 2011
What is Simdata Good For? Take a model image and find out how it would look if observed with ALMA • Number of antennas • Antenna configuration • Length of observation • Noise* • Thermal Noise • Phase Noise
Simdata is a versatile tool within CASATo learn more: • Go through online simdata guides • http://casaguides.nrao.edu/ • Go to one of our workshops or tutorials • http://science.nrao.edu/alma/training.php
30Dor from Spitzer IRAC 8μm from SAGE Resized and now at 230 GHz
Fourier Transforms of Images From http://carmilumban-ap186.blogspot.com
Scales Measured in Early Science Antenna Placement uv-coverage synthesized beam Point Spread Function bmaj = 1.0 bmin = 0.9 2 hour observation
Full Science 12m Array - Compact Antenna Placement uv-coverage synthesized beam bmaj = 1.1 bmin = 0.96 2 hour observation Note lower sidelobes
Model: Early Science Configuration Convolved Model Model Image “Observed” Image 2 hour observation
Model: Full Science 12m Array - Compact Model Image Convolved Model “Observed” Image Large scale emission: Observe with ACA and possibly TPA 2 hour observation
Basic Simdata Workflow • Start CASA • Input image file into Simdata • Predict what ALMA would see using Simdata • Compare ALMA image with input image
Basic Simdata Inputs • Image / model of target • Observing time • Antenna configuration
Basic Simdata Inputs Parameters that can be changed Current values of parameters Explanation of what the parameters are
Model Input FITS FileHeader must include: • Coordinates • Brightness units • Observing frequency • Pixel Scale (angular and spectral) • Polarization (if needed) • OR: Modify FITS image within Simdata
predict • repodir = os.getenv("CASAPATH").split(' ')[0] • antennalist = repodir+"/data/alma/simmos/alma.early.250m.cfg"
Simdata Output - Viewer http://casa.nrao.edu/CasaViewerDemo/casaViewerDemo.html
Your Turn • Download CASA • http://casa.nrao.edu/ • Find/create an image of what you will observe • Use Simdata to see how it would look if observed with ALMA • Learn more • http://casaguides.nrao.edu • http://science.nrao.edu/alma/training.php