Example of a Resource Catalog: the NRAO defaults catalog

The NRAO defaults catalog (Figure 2.2) is a collection of hardware and instrument configurations (front-end receivers, correlator integration time plus observing/subband bandwidth and frequency channels, frequency tuning, etc.). They are expected to be good standards for continuum observations in the early EVLA era, i.e., using the receivers and correlator available to the observers during the OSRO program. These defaults are mostly useful for OSRO continuum bandwidth observations. They differ from the previous VLA NRAO defaults in frequency mainly because a larger instantaneous bandwidth is available: 256 MHz now versus 100 MHz before. The EVLA also has new and extended range receiver bands.

Note that NRAO defaults is in red italics, which means that this catalog is read-only. The plus-icon (\includegraphics[height=3mm]{psimg/expand.png.ps}, Figure 2.1) in front of the open book icon (\includegraphics[height=3mm]{psimg/book_open.png.ps}) indicates that this catalog includes sub-catalogs which are referred to as groups. A catalog does not need to contain groups, but at some point it may be more convenient to have them. If you click the plus-icon or NRAO defaults these groups will appear in the catalog tree and the plus-icon will change to a minus-icon. If you clicked on NRAO defaults, you will also see a table of contents of the highlighted NRAO defaults catalog in the main RCT window, the big field to the right hand side of the catalog column (Figure 2.1). This table list combines the contents of all groups and possible entries in the catalog that do not belong to a group (though in this case there are no such free-agent entries). Groups are, in this case, 2x 128 MHz Full pol (OSRO1) and Pointing setups. When highlighted or selected using the mouse button, the right-hand side window with the table of contents will only show (filter) the resources which were grouped in this sub-catalog. For example, selecting the 2x 128 MHz Full pol (OSRO1) group will now only list the NRAO default resources for continuum observations. Similarly, the Pointing setups will show the NRAO default resources for pointing scans in X, K, Ka and Q band (see below).

Connect with NRAO

The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and NSF Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

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