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Table of Contents
Vital Information [1]
Proposing to Use the GBT [2]
Observing with the GBT [3]
Data Analysis [4]
Observer Training and Education [5]
Scientific Visitor Information [6]
Scientific and Technical Publications [7]
Radio Frequency Interference Mitigation [8]
Getting Help [9]
Thank you for your interest in observing with the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). Information on all aspects of proposing and observing with the GBT can be found below.
Vital Information
- Most recent call for proposals [10]: The official call for GBT proposals for the 2018B semester.
- Past Proposal calls [11]
- Current GBT schedule [12]
- Observer alerts: Important information for GBT observers
- Observer’s Helpdesk [13]: Portal for requesting help with any aspect of using the GBT.
Proposing to Use the GBT [14]
- GBT Proposer’s Guide [15]: Detailed information about the planning, writing, and submitting a GBT proposal, as well as in-depth information on instruments and capabilities.
- Proposal review and time allocation process [16]
- Proposal Submission Too [17]l: Port for submitting all proposals for the GBT and other AUI observatories (CAS log-in required).
- The Performance of the GBT: A Guide for Planning Observations [18]: A quick overview of the performance of the GBT.
- GBT sensitivity calculator [19]: A tool for calculating sensitivity and observing time for all GBT proposers, including pulsar proposers (CAS log-in required).
- GBT mapping calculator [21]: A tool for planning and making maps with the GBT.
- Past proposal calls and reports [11]
- Good calibration practices [22]: Best practices for calibrating GBT spectral line data.
- VLBI on the GBT [23]: Special information for very long baseline interferometry using the GBT.
Observing With the GBT [24]
- GBT Observer’s Guide [25]: Detailed information and instructions on observing tools, procedures, and best practices, as well as front-end and back-end instruments and GBT scheduling.
- Instruments and observing modes [26]: Information about the GBT’s instrument suite and capabilities.
- Observing policies [27]
- GBT Dynamic Scheduling System [28]: Portal for managing aspects of all active and past proposals, including project members, remote observing qualification, and observer and project black-out dates (DSS log-in required).
- DSS overview [29]
- Weather forecasts [30]: Detailed forecasts of atmospheric opacity, wind speed, and system temperature. These forecasts are used by the DSS to efficiently schedule all GBT projects, and are of particular interest to high-frequency observers.
- Current weather [31]: Conditions at GBT Weather Station #2.
- Receiver schedule [32]: Planned availability of GBT front-end receivers (DSS log-in required).
- Remote observing instructions [33]
- Observer comments [35]: Portal for submitting comments about active and completed projects (CAS log-in required).
- Telescope operations logs [36] (DSS log-in required)
Data Analysis [37]
- GBTIDL [38]: IDL suite for analysis of spectral line data.
- GBT Pipeline [39]: Python-based routine for processing large spectral line and continuum data sets and making maps.
- CASA [40]: Common Astronomical Software Applications (NRAO-supported tool)
- PRESTO [41]: A third-party suite of pulsar data analysis tools.
- PSRCHIVE [42]: Another third-party suite of pulsar data analysis tools that is particularly useful for GUPPI and VEGAS data in the PSRFITS format.
- DSPSR [42]: Yet another third-party tool for analyzing pulsar data that is particularly useful for processing baseband voltage data.
- Data Archive [43]: Archive Access Tool provided by NRAO that enables one to search through archival GBT data.
- Public GBO data reduction computers [44]: Public linux machines for data processing.
[44]
Observer Training and Education
- Remote observer training workshops [45]: Two-day workshops intended for experienced radio astronomers that need GBT-specific training and remote observer qualification.
- Demonstration videos: Narrated videos introducing the GBT’s control software and observing tools (Coming Soon!)
- Single-dish radio telescope training workshop [46]: A week-long workshop covering the basics of single-dish radio astronomy science, instrumentation, and observing. This workshop is intended for students, postdocs, and experienced astronomers who are getting started in single-dish radio astronomy or who would like a refresher.
- Workshop presentations [47]: Lecture slides used in previous workshops.
- Essential Radio Astronomy [48]: Online course material from Jim Condon’s and Scott Ransom’s graduate-level radio astronomy course at NRAO/UVA.
Scientific Visitor Information
- Green Bank Online Reservation System [49] (GBORS log-in required)
- Denied Party Screening [49]: Export-control screening required for all visitors and observers
- Observing Facilities and Policies [50]
- Residence hall and housing [51]
- Logistics [52]: Contact and travel information, and cafeteria hours
- Driving directions [53]
Scientific and Technical Publications [54]
- Recent GBT publications [54]
- Archived GBT publications [55]
- GBT technical memos [56]
- Acknowledging the use of GBT data [57]
Radio Frequency Interference Mitigation [58]
- RFI mitigation overview [58]
- National Radio Quiet Zone [59]
- West Virginia Radio Astronomy Zoning Act [60]
- RFI scans [61]: Current and historical data on RFI seen by the GBT.
Getting Help [62]
- Scientific support staff [63]
- Request a computing account [64]
- Scientific staff helpdesk tool [65] (internal staff tool)
