multi-source disk files
  4.1.1 Reading from a VLA archive tape or file using FILLM
   4.1.1.1 Editing and applying nominal sensitivities to VLA data
  4.1.2 Reading data from FITS files with FITLD
4.2 Record keeping and data management
  4.2.1 Calibrating data with multiple FQ entries
  4.2.2 Recommended record keeping
4.3 Beginning the calibration
  4.3.1 Initial editing
  4.3.2 Primary flux density calibrators
  4.3.3 First pass of the gain calibration
   4.3.3.1 Using calibrator models
   4.3.3.2 Flux calibration without calibrator models
4.4 Assessing the data quality and initial editing
  4.4.1 Editing with LISTR and UVFLG
  4.4.2 Editing with EDITA
  4.4.3 Editing with TVFLG
  4.4.4 Baseline corrections
4.5 Antenna-based complex gain solutions
  4.5.1 Bootstrapping secondary flux-density calibrators
  4.5.2 Full calibration
  4.5.3 Final (?) initial global calibration
4.6 Polarization calibration
4.7 Spectral-line calibration
  4.7.1 Reading the data
  4.7.2 Editing the data
  4.7.3 Bandpass calibration
  4.7.4 Amplitude and phase calibration
4.8 Solar data calibration
  4.8.1 Reading solar data from a VLA archive tape
  4.8.2 Using SNPLT and LISTR to assess the nominal sensitivities
  4.8.3 Using SOLCL to apply the system-temperature correction
4.9 Completing the initial calibration
  4.9.1 Using FITTP and FITAB to write multi-source data to tape
  4.9.2 Creating single-source data files with SPLIT
  4.9.3 Making images from multi-source data with IMAGR
4.10 Additional recipes
5 MAKING IMAGES FROM INTERFEROMETER DATA
5.1 Preparing uv data for imaging
  5.1.1 Indexing the data — PRTTP
  5.1.2 Loading the data — FITLD and UVLOD
  5.1.3 Sorting the data — UVSRT
5.2 Basic image making — IMAGR
  5.2.1 Making a simple image
  5.2.2 Imaging multiple fields and image coordinates
  5.2.3 Data weighting
  5.2.4 Cell and image size, shifting
  5.2.5 Zero-spacing issues
5.3 Deconvolving images
  5.3.1 Basic Cleaning with IMAGR
  5.3.2 Multiple fields in IMAGR
  5.3.3 Clean boxes and the TV in IMAGR
  5.3.4 Experimental variations on Clean in IMAGR
   5.3.4.1 Clean-component filtering
   5.3.4.2 SDI modification of Clean in IMAGR
   5.3.4.3 Multi-resolution modification of Clean in IMAGR
   5.3.4.4 Spectral-index corrections
  5.3.5 Data correction options in IMAGR
   5.3.5.1 Frequency-dependent primary-beam corrections
   5.3.5.2 Frequency-dependent correction for average spectral index
   5.3.5.3 Error in the assumed central frequency
   5.3.5.4 Array mis-orientation effects
   5.3.5.5 Non-coplanar effects
   5.3.5.6 Units mismatch of residuals and Clean components
  5.3.6 Manipulating Clean components
  5.3.7 Image-plane deconvolution methods
5.4 Self-calibration
  5.4.1 Self-calibration sequence and SCMAP or SCIMG
  5.4.2 Self-calibration with CALIB
  5.4.3 Considerations in setting CALIB inputs
  5.4.4 Experimental extension of multi-field self-calibration
5.5 More editing of uv data
  5.5.1 General remarks on, and tools for, editing
  5.5.2 Baseline-based uv-data editing — EDITR
5.6 Additional recipe
6 DISPLAYING YOUR DATA
6.1 Getting data into your

catalog
  6.1.1 IMLOD and FITLD from tape
  6.1.2 IMLOD and FITLD from FITS-disk
6.2 Printer displays of your data
  6.2.1 Printing your visibility data
  6.2.2 Printing your image data
  6.2.3 Printing your table data
  6.2.4 Printing miscellaneous information
6.3 Plotting your data
  6.3.1 Plotting your visibility data
  6.3.2 Plotting your image data
   6.3.2.1 Contour and grey-scale plots
   6.3.2.2 Row tracing plots
   6.3.2.3 Miscellaneous image plots
  6.3.3 Plotting your table data
  6.3.4 Plotting miscellaneous information
6.4 Interactive TV displays of your data
  6.4.1 Loading an image to the TV
  6.4.2 Manipulating the TV display
  6.4.3 Intensity and color transfer functions
  6.4.4 Setting parameters with the TV
  6.4.5 Reading image values from the TV
  6.4.6 Labeling images on the TV
  6.4.7 Comparing images on the TV
  6.4.8 Slice files and the TV display
  6.4.9 Other functions using the TV
  6.4.10 Capturing the TV
6.5 Graphics displays of your data
  6.5.1 Plotting data and setting values with the graphics display
  6.5.2 Slice files and the graphics display
  6.5.3 Data analysis with the graphics display
6.6 Additional recipe and color plots
7 ANALYZING IMAGES
7.1 Combining two images (COMB)
  7.1.1 Subtracting a continuum image from an image cube
  7.1.2 Polarized intensity and position angle images
  7.1.3 Other image combination options
  7.1.4 Considerations in image combination
7.2 Combining more than two images (SUMIM and SPIXR)
7.3 Image statistics and flux integration
7.4 Blanking of images
7.5 Fitting of images
  7.5.1 Centroid fits (IMCENTER) and parabolic fit to maximum (MAXFIT)
  7.5.2 Two-dimensional Gaussian fitting (IMFIT)
  7.5.3 Source recognition and fitting (SAD)
  7.5.4 Gaussian fits to slices (SLFIT)
  7.5.5 Other one-dimensional Gaussian fits (XGAUS)
7.6 Image analysis
  7.6.1 Geometric conversions
  7.6.2 Mathematical operations on a single image
  7.6.3 Primary beam correction
  7.6.4 Changing the resolution of an image
  7.6.5 Filtering
  7.6.6 Modeling
7.7 Additional recipes
8 SPECTRAL-LINE SOFTWARE
8.1 Data preparation and assessment
8.2 Editing and self-calibration
8.3 Continuum subtraction
8.4 Imaging
8.5 Display and manipulation of data cubes
  8.5.1 Building and dismantling data cubes
  8.5.2 Transposing the cube
  8.5.3 Modifying the image header
  8.5.4 Displaying the cube
8.6 Analysis
8.7 Additional recipes
9 REDUCING VLBI DATA IN

9.1 VLBI data calibration recipe
9.2 Loading and inspecting data
  9.2.1 Loading data from the VLBA correlator
   9.2.1.1 Running FITLD
   9.2.1.2 Calibration transfer
   9.2.1.3 Repairing VLBA data after FITLD
   9.2.1.4 Sorting and indexing VLBA correlator data
   9.2.1.5 Subarraying VLBA correlator data
   9.2.1.6 Indexing VLBA correlator data
   9.2.1.7 Concatenating VLBA correlator data
   9.2.1.8 Labeling VLBA correlator polarization data
   9.2.1.9 Ionospheric corrections
   9.2.1.10 Corrections to the Earth Orientation Parameters
   9.2.1.11 Preparing the OB table for SVLBI data
   9.2.1.12 Loading the time corrections file for SVLBI data
  9.2.2 Loading data from a MkIII/MkIV correlator
   9.2.2.1 Running MK3IN
   9.2.2.2 Sorting MkIII/IV data
   9.2.2.3 Concatenating MkIII/IV data
   9.2.2.4 Merging MkIII/IV data
   9.2.2.5 Correcting MkIII/IV sideband phase offsets
   9.2.2.6 Indexing MkIII/IV data
9.3 Tools for data examination
  9.3.1 Textual displays
  9.3.2 Spectral displays: POSSM
  9.3.3 Time displays: VPLOT and CLPLT
  9.3.4 EDITR
  9.3.5 SNPLT
  9.3.6 COHER
  9.3.7 FRPLT
9.4 Calibration strategy
  9.4.1 Incremental calibration philosophy
   9.4.1.1 Smoothing and applying corrections in SN and CL tables
   9.4.1.2 Running CLCAL for phase referencing observations
  9.4.2 Processing observing log and calibration information
   9.4.2.1 Automatic formatting of VLBA and VLBA-like log files
   9.4.2.2 VLA and EVN log files
   9.4.2.3 SVLBI log files
   9.4.2.4 Manual formatting of log files
   9.4.2.5 Loading calibration log information
  9.4.3 Data editing
  9.4.4 a priori calibration
   9.4.4.1 Digital sampler bias corrections for VLBA correlator data
   9.4.4.2 Continuum amplitude calibration
   9.4.4.3 Polarization calibration: parallactic angle corrections
  9.4.5 Bandpass calibration
  9.4.6 Spectral-line doppler correction
  9.4.7 Spectral-line amplitude calibration
  9.4.8 Phase calibration
   9.4.8.1 Special considerations: SVLBI
   9.4.8.2 Special considerations: spectral-line
   9.4.8.3 Special considerations: polarization
   9.4.8.4 Special considerations: phase-referencing
   9.4.8.5 Instrumental phase corrections
   9.4.8.6 “Manual” instrumental phase corrections
   9.4.8.7 Correcting for atmospheric delays
   9.4.8.8 Finding multi-band delays
   9.4.8.9 Antenna-based fringe-fitting
   9.4.8.10 Baseline-based fringe-fitting
   9.4.8.11 SVLBI-specific techniques
   9.4.8.12 Spectral-line fringe-fitting
   9.4.8.13 Polarization-specific fringe-fitting
   9.4.8.14 R-L delay calibration
   9.4.8.15 Feed D-term calibration
  9.4.9 Complex Bandpass
  9.4.10 Baseline-based errors
9.5 After initial calibration
  9.5.1 Applying calibration
  9.5.2 Time averaging
  9.5.3 Verifying calibration
9.6 Self-calibration, imaging, and model-fitting
  9.6.1 CALIB
  9.6.2 IMAGR, SCIMAG, and SCMAP
  9.6.3 Non-conventional methods of imaging
9.7 Summary of VLBI calibration tables
9.8 Additional recipe
10 SINGLE-DISH DATA IN

10.1

format for single-dish data
  10.1.1 On-the-fly data from the 12m
   10.1.1.1 Listing OTF input files
   10.1.1.2 Reading spectral-line OTF files into

10.1.1.3 Reading continuum OTF files into

  10.1.2 Other input data formats
10.2 Single-dish data in the “uv” domain
  10.2.1 Using PRTSD, UVPLT, and POSSM to look at your data
  10.2.2 Using UVFLG, SPFLG, and EDITR to edit your data
  10.2.3 Using CSCOR and SDCAL to calibrate your data
  10.2.4 Using SDLSF and SDVEL to correct your spectral-line data
  10.2.5 Using SDMOD and BSMOD to model your data
10.3 Imaging single-dish data in

  10.3.1 Normal single-dish imaging
  10.3.2 Beam-switched continuum imaging
10.4 Analysis and display of single-dish data
  10.4.1 Spectral baseline removal
  10.4.2 Using WTSUM and BSAVG to combine images
  10.4.3 Spectral moment analysis
  10.4.4 Source modeling and fitting
  10.4.5 Image displays
  10.4.6 Backing up your data
10.5 Combining single-dish and interferometer data
11 EXITING FROM, AND SOLVING PROBLEMS IN,

11.1 Helping the

programmers
11.2 Exiting from

  11.2.1 Backups
  11.2.2 Deleting your data
  11.2.3 Exiting
11.3 Solving problems in using

  11.3.1 “Terminal” problems
  11.3.2 Disk data problems
  11.3.3 Printer problems
  11.3.4 Tape problems
11.4 Additional recipe
12

FOR THE MORE SOPHISTICATED USER
12.1

conventions
12.1.1 AIPS shortcuts
12.1.2 Data-file names and formats
12.2 Process control features of

  12.2.1 RUN files
  12.2.2 More about GO
  12.2.3 Batch jobs
12.3 AIPS language
  12.3.1 Using

outside of procedures
12.3.2 Procedures
12.3.3 Writing your own programs with

12.3.3.1 Special facilities for use in procedures
12.4 Remote use of

  12.4.1 Connections via X-Windows
  12.4.2 Connections to a terminal
  12.4.3 Remote data connections
  12.4.4 File transfer connections
12.5 Moving data to a new computer
12.6 Adding your own tasks to

  12.6.1 Initial choices to make
  12.6.2 Getting started
  12.6.3 Initial check of code and procedures
  12.6.4 Modifying an

task
12.6.5 Modifying an

template task.
12.6.6 Further remarks
13 CURRENT

SOFTWARE
13.1 ADVERB
13.2 ANALYSIS
13.3 AP
13.4 ASTROMET
13.5 BATCH
13.6 CALIBRAT
13.7 CATALOG
13.8 COORDINA
13.9 EDITING
13.10 EXT-APPL
13.11 FITS
13.12 GENERAL
13.13 HARDCOPY
13.14 IMAGE-UT
13.15 IMAGE
13.16 IMAGING
13.17 INFORMAT
13.18 INTERACT
13.19 MODELING
13.20 OBSOLETE
13.21 ONED
13.22 OOP
13.23 OPTICAL
13.24 PARAFORM
13.25 PLOT
13.26 POLARIZA
13.27 POPS
13.28 PROCEDUR
13.29 PSEUDOVE
13.30 RUN
13.31 SINGLEDI
13.32 SPECTRAL
13.33 TABLE
13.34 TAPE
13.35 TASK
13.36 TV
13.37 TV-APPL
13.38 UTILITY
13.39 UV
13.40 VERB
13.41 VLA
13.42 VLBI
13.43 Additional recipes
A EASY CONTINUUM UV-DATA CALIBRATION AND IMAGING
A.1 VLARUN
A.2 Basic calibration
A.3 Polarization calibration
A.4 Backup and imaging
A.5 Additional recipes
B A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO SPECTRAL-LINE DATA ANALYSIS IN

B.1 Editing and calibrating spectral-line data
  B.1.1 Loading the data
  B.1.2 Inspecting and editing the data
  B.1.3 Calibrating the data
B.2 Making and Cleaning image cubes
B.3 Moment analysis and rotation curve of galaxies
B.4 Multi-frequency observations
  B.4.1 General frequency information
  B.4.2 Multi-frequency uv files
B.5 Additional recipes
C A Step-by-Step Recipe for VLBA Data Calibration in

C.1 Table Philosophy
C.2 Data set assumed in this Appendix
C.3 VLBA Utilities
C.4 Data Loading and Inspection
C.5 Amplitude Calibration
C.6 Delay, Rate, and Phase Calibration
C.7 Final Calibration Steps
C.8 Incorporating non-VLBA antennas
  C.8.1 Pointing Flags
  C.8.2 Single VLA Antenna
  C.8.3 Phased VLA
  C.8.4 Summary
C.9 Some Useful References
C.10 Additional recipes
D HINTS FOR REDUCING HIGH-FREQUENCY VLA DATA IN

D.1 Additional recipes
F FILE SIZES
F.1 Visibility (uv) data sets
  F.1.1 uv database sizes
  F.1.2 Compressed format for uv data
F.2 Image files
F.3 Extension files
F.4 Storing data on tape
  F.4.1 DAT and Exabyte tapes
F.5 Very large data sets
F.6 Additional recipes
Z SYSTEM-DEPENDENT

TIPS
Z.1 NRAO workstations — general information
  Z.1.1 The “midnight” jobs
  Z.1.2 Generating color hard copy
   Z.1.2.1 Color printers
   Z.1.2.2 Software to copy your screen
  Z.1.3 Color film recorders
  Z.1.4 Gripe, gripe, gripe, …
  Z.1.5 Solving problems at the NRAO
   Z.1.5.1 Booting the workstations
   Z.1.5.2 Printout fails to appear
   Z.1.5.3 Stopping excess printout
   Z.1.5.4 CTRL Z problems
   Z.1.5.5 “File system is full” message
   Z.1.5.6 Tapes won’t mount
   Z.1.5.7 I can’t use my data disk!
Z.2

at the NRAO in Charlottesville
Z.2.1 Using the Charlottesville workstations
Z.2.1.1 Signing up for

time in Charlottesville
   Z.2.1.2 Managing workstation windows in Charlottesville
   Z.2.1.3 Data disk management in Charlottesville
  Z.2.2 Using the tape drives in Charlottesville
   Z.2.2.1 Mounting and removing tapes on 9-track drives
   Z.2.2.2 Mounting tapes on Exabyte and DAT drives
  Z.2.3 Color hard copy in Charlottesville
Z.3

at the NRAO AOC in Socorro
  Z.3.1 Reserving public-use workstations at the AOC
  Z.3.2 Using AOC workstations — introduction
  Z.3.3 Using SPARCstations at the AOC
   Z.3.3.1 Logging on and choosing your environment
   Z.3.3.2 Using CDE
   Z.3.3.3 Using OpenWindows
  Z.3.4 Using the SGI workstations at the AOC
  Z.3.5 Starting

Z.3.5.1 Starting

on another machine
  Z.3.6 Using the tape drives at the AOC
   Z.3.6.1 Mounting tapes on Exabyte and DAT drives
   Z.3.6.2 On-line FILLM
  Z.3.7 Color hard copy at the AOC
Z.4

at the NRAO Very Large Array site
Z.5 Additional recipes
G GLOSSARY
I INDEX

Contents