Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA)

The Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA) package is a set of C++ tools bundled together under an iPython interface as a set of data reduction tasks. CASA is being developed by a collaboration led by NRAO with the primary goal of supporting the data post-processing needs of the next generation of radio astronomical telescopes such as the ALMA and EVLA projects. The CASA tasks are oriented towards end-user data processing and analysis, while the toolkit is geared towards the support of pipeline processing, algorithm development, and the construction of tasks.

AFGL 2591 VLA A-array X-band continuum observation, using multi-scale CLEAN imaging from CASA. (Credit: Katherine Johnston, St. Andrews University)

There is now a Project Scientist Page for CASA. See this for more information from the scientist perspective.

This software has been under development in support of the ALMA and EVLA project, but is intended to also be of general use for radio astronomy data post-processing. This staged release will allow personnel involved in the construction, operations, and advisory committees for ALMA and EVLA to adopt early use of the package for commissioning, development of user support capabilities, and to provide feedback to the CASA team.

Starting in October 2007, we are implementing a staged Beta Release of CASA. Initially, through February 2008, access to the Beta and support for CASA users will be restricted to ALMA and EVLA project personnel and key committee members in order that the CASA development will not be burdened with user support and can continue to make progress to complete the suite of basic functionality and to pursue advanced algorithm development needed for ALMA and EVLA. During this period, CASA User Support Specialists will be trained in the use of the CASA Beta Release, and in turn these specialists will train others as needed. With the release of Beta Patch 1 in mid-February 2008, we plan to gradually expand the availability of the Beta Release to others in the community as our user support capabilities ramp up.

It is anticipated that CASA will remain in Beta Release until at least late 2008 or early 2009. During the beta release period, we will provide "patches" to the release on an approximately quarterly schedule in order to fold in ongoing developments. Patches will also be made as needed to fix bugs. The first such "Beta Patch 1.0" is scheduled to be available in mid-February 2008.