Overview of HIFI Calibration Status and Future Plans by Frank Helmich
This document outlines the current status and future outlook on the HIFI calibration process. It highlights key historical milestones, identifies ongoing documentation, and tackles the challenges faced, including the lack of schedule adherence and manpower shortages. Discussions on joint activities with ALMA, plans for ground measurements, and calibration requirements are presented. Future meetings will further refine the calibration strategy, ensuring readiness for the upcoming review and setting the foundation for effective astronomical observations.
Overview of HIFI Calibration Status and Future Plans by Frank Helmich
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Presentation Transcript
Calibration Status Frank Helmich – HIFI calibration manager
Overview • “History” • Big picture • Current status • Meetings/proposals • The future • Schedule
History • Main in-orbit calibration work is; • identification of the procedures for the in-orbit phase • Plans for the in-orbit phase • Exercise and verify observing modes • Calibration of individual spectra • The ICC does so by writing documentation: • Calibration plan • Astronomical Calibration Sources • Calibration Use Cases (requirements and procedures)
Current Status • It became clear that this was not sufficient. Extra documentation for: • Solar system objects (first issue) • Frame work document: • Band pass calibration (almost finished) • Spatial response (almost finished) • Frequencies (first approach made) • Calibration plan is almost finished • Astronomical calibration sources (draft 0.4 is sufficient for the time being) • Use cases are not on schedule • Error budget not on schedule, but also not a problem
Meetings/proposals • Joint ALMA-HIFI calibration discussion • It is clear that we have the solar system objects in common with ALMA. For the rest there is hardly any overlap, due to the extreme difference between “beams” • HCalSG • Asteroids identified as the main overlap between the three Herschel instruments • Starting next semester we will try to coordinate ground measurements better (Hughes et al. JCMT-UK proposal) • All instruments face problems in the QM ground-calibration • There will be regular updates on pointing • Own initiative: Ground-based proposal CO 6-5 in AGB stars (strength & source extent); Joint Duth-Canadian proposal to JCMT)
Future • Calibration review end November • To review the procedures and plans of the calibration group: i.e. Are we planning/doing the right thing? • What can be presented: • Calibration Plan • Frame work document • Astronomical calibration sources • Solar system objects • Use Case document • First part of calibration of AOTs • Not ready: • PV-plan • Normal operations plan
Schedule • Schedule is tight • Manpower is lacking • However, a small group has achieved quite a lot over the last two years • We have created a common understanding of our calibration needs • We will have to work hard to be in time for the review, but prospects look good • We will need two more meetings before the review