Processing of Early Science Data

ASAC, March 9-10, 2010

Assumptions

• “Minimum” CSV goals for the start of Early Science (ES) accomplished

• Data of all observing modes offered for ES is of enough quality to be reduced and quality assured

• CASA is able to process all modes offered for ES• Basic reduction and QA scripts have been developed during the CSV

phase• If a project takes LONGER than the total observing time to reduce+QA

it will be sent back to CSV for further evaluation• During one year we have 33% of the available time (about 80%)

available for observations (i.e., 2314 h)• DSO Personnel: 9 PMG astronomers, 4 system astronomers, 6 Data

Analysts (CSV personnel also may participate)

Assumptions

• Two cases studied: Reduction+QA time EQUAL to total observing time and HALF the total observing time (the latter is the goal for expert users) Triangular (scalene) distribution of number of programs with total observing time

• Programs extend from a minimum of 1 SB (0.5hr) up to 40 hr, with a peak at 4hr

• Programs allotted randomly based on proposal pressure (DRSP statistics) and weather statistics on site

• 25% of projects assumed to require zero-spacing data (2-4 times the integ time) taken with 1 antenna

• Observing strategies: SB-based or Block Allocation

Manpower

• PMG Astronomers and System Astronomers will still not be on a 50% Science time (more like a 25-30%)

• 6 Data Analysts also available• Projects will be coming for reduction+QA every few

days• We need to cover 5 days/week for the whole year

with 1 astronomer 52 weeks/(9+4) =4 weeks/yr per astronomer (in full operations the astronomers are expected to perform 3 weeks of QA2 per year). System Astronomers to do more than the PMG Astronomers and also Data Analysts can be involved

Deliveries and QA

• “Reduced” data: Data processed and calibrated using standard scripts, converted to spectral cubes and QA assessed

• Reduced data and metadata delivered to PIs during Early Science should be as similar as possible to those in later stages of Operations when the automated Pipeline is used

• We plan to deliver to the PIs the following: Raw data, Reduced Spectral data cubes, associated calibration tables and asdm tables, scripts used in the reduction, logging information (shiftlog and reduction outputs) and the QA information

• Quality assurance: QA0/1 will be done in the same way as during Full Operations, based on the QuickLook outputs and offline software. QA2 will be done with scripts developed during the CSV phase with datasets close to those expected for Early Science and improved as needed. The information for QA2 will be delivered in a QA2 report and the pertinent scripts used.