%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% % % VCS7 proposal % % First revision: 2008.01.22_18:41:27 % Last revision: 2008.01.31_18:49:04 % % original TeX version by somebody % 2002 Dec 12: LaTeX conversion by Amy Mioduszewski % 2002 Dec 12: Minor format changes by Amy Mioduszewski and Greg Taylor % 2002 Dec 13: Fixes by Amy in response to Richard Porcas comments % 2002 Dec 18: More minor fixes by Amy in response to Patrick Charlot % 2002 Dec 31: More minor changes by Amy re: Mike Garret plus improved % underlining % 2003 Jan 18: More minor improvements to the underlining by Amy % 2003 Jul 21-22: Added student info, rapid response science by Jim U. % 2003 Aug 28: Some clyeanup by Greg in response to Patrick Charlot % % This is the VLBI proposal cover sheet. It is highly recommended % that you make a copy of this before editing. % Lines beginning with ``%'' give instructions as to what to fill in % or replace on immediately following lines. % % COVER SHEET, FRONT SIDE % %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% \documentclass[10pt]{article} \paperheight = 8.5truein \paperwidth = 11.0truein \def\unter#1{\hbox to #1{\hrulefill}} \def\YES {\bigotimes} \def\NO {\bigcirc} \def\yes {\bigotimes} \def\no {\bigcirc} \def\SOME {\circ} \def\arcmin{$^\prime$} \def\arcsec{$^{\prime\prime}$} \voffset=-1.3truein \hoffset=-0.8truein \textwidth = 8.0truein \textheight = 10.5truein \usepackage{epsf} \newcommand{\mpal}[1]{\begin{minipage}[t]{0.50\textwidth}#1\end{minipage}} \newcommand{\mpar}[1]{\begin{minipage}[t]{0.35\textwidth}#1\end{minipage}} \begin{document} \parindent 0pt \moveleft 0.75in \vbox{ \centerline{\bf % VLBA % Proposal for VLBA (and affiliates) PROPOSAL COVERSHEET} } \vskip -0.2in \moveright 5.2in \vbox{ \fbox{\rule[-0.75in]{0in}{0.2in} \begin{tabular}{p{1.5in}} \vskip 0.5in \vskip 0.2in rcvd: \\ \end{tabular} }} \vskip -0.75truein \moveleft 0.3in \vbox{ DEADLINES: 1st of Feb., June, Oct. } \bigskip \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{ {\bf (1)} Date Prepared: \vskip -11pt \moveleft -1.2in \vbox{ % If you want to add a manual date replace the \today (below) with a date. \today }} \medskip \moveleft 0.78in \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{1.4in}p{5.6in}} {\bf (2)} Title of Proposal:&\parskip -12pt %% enter first line of title on next line Search for calibrators in the deep south \\&\parskip -12pt\hskip 0.05in %% enter second line of title on next line (if necessary) \\ \end{tabular} } %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% % If any of the authors has moved or is a first time user, please add a sheet % at the end of the Scientific Justification with their full address including % electronic mail, fax and phone number. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% \moveleft 0.75truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{|p{1.6truein}|p{1.8truein}|p{2.25truein}|p{0.28truein}|p{0.48truein}|p{0.48truein}|} \hline &&&\multicolumn{3}{c|}{\underbar{Students Only}} \\ {\bf (3)} AUTHORS&\hfil INSTITUTION\hfil&\hfil E-mail\hfil&G/U&\hfil For \hfil&\hfil Ph.D.\hfil\\ (Add * for new location)&&&&\hfil Thesis?\hfil&\hfil Year\hfil \\ \hline \parskip -12pt %% enter first author name on next blank line. If this is the author's first %% VLA or VLBA proposal, or the affiliation has changed since the last %% proposal, please put a * after the name. L. Petrov &\parskip -12pt %% enter first author institution on blank line below (abbreviate to less %% than 27 characters) NVI, Inc./NASA GSFC &\parskip -12pt %% enter first author e-mail on next line Leonid.Petrov@lpetrov.net &\parskip -12pt %% If first author is student, enter "G" for graduate student or "U" for %% undergraduate student on the next blank line. If first author %% isn't a student, leave blank. %% Students at institutions outside the U.S. may not have the same %% distinction between graduate and undergraduate studies that is followed %% in the U.S. In such cases, just enter "G". &\parskip -12pt %% If first author is a grad student, is this observation for his/her Ph.D. %% thesis? Enter "Yes" or "No". If first author is not a graduate %% student, leave blank. &\parskip -12pt %% If first author is a graduate student, enter the Ph.D. year, whether %% or not this observation is for the Ph.D. thesis. \\ \hline \parskip -12pt %% enter second author name on next blank line. If this is the author's first %% VLA or VLBA proposal, or the affiliation has changed since the last %% proposal, please put a * after the name. Y.Y. Kovalev &\parskip -12pt %% enter second author institution on blank line below (abbreviate to less %% than 27 characters) MPIfR, Bonn, Germany &\parskip -12pt %% enter second author e-mail on next line ykovalev@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de &\parskip -12pt %% If second author is student, enter "G" for graduate student or "U" for %% undergraduate student. If second author isn't a student, leave blank. %% Students at institutions outside the U.S. may not have the same %% distinction between graduate and undergraduate studies that is followed %% in the U.S. In such cases, just enter "G". &\parskip -12pt %% If second author is a grad student, is this observation for his/her Ph.D. %% thesis? Enter "Yes" or "No". If second author is not a graduate %% student, leave blank. &\parskip -12pt %% If second author is a graduate student, enter the Ph.D. year, whether %% or not this observation is for the Ph.D. thesis. \\ \hline \parskip -12pt %% enter third author name on next blank line. If this is the author's first %% VLA or VLBA proposal, or the affiliation has changed since the last %% proposal, please put a * after the name. E. Fomalont &\parskip -12pt %% enter third author institution on blank line below (abbreviate to less %% than 27 characters) NRAO, CV &\parskip -12pt %% enter third author e-mail on next line efomalon@nrao.edu &\parskip -12pt %% If third author is student, enter "G" for graduate student or "U" for %% undergraduate student. If third author isn't a student, leave blank. %% Students at institutions outside the U.S. may not have the same %% distinction between graduate and undergraduate studies that is followed %% in the U.S. In such cases, just enter "G". &\parskip -12pt %% If third author is a grad student, is this observation for his/her Ph.D. %% thesis? Enter "Yes" or "No". If third author is not a graduate %% student, leave blank. &\parskip -12pt %% If third author is a graduate student, enter the Ph.D. year, whether %% or not this observation is for the Ph.D. thesis. \\ \hline \parskip -12pt %% enter fourth author name on next blank line. If this is the author's first %% VLA or VLBA proposal, or the affiliation has changed since the last %% proposal, please put a * after the name. D. Gordon &\parskip -12pt %% enter fourth author institution on blank line below (abbreviate to less %% than 27 characters) NVI, Inc./NASA GSFC &\parskip -12pt %% enter fourth author e-mail on next line dgg@leo.gsfc.nasa.gov &\parskip -12pt %% If fourth author is student, enter "G" for graduate student or "U" for %% undergraduate student. If fourth author isn't a student, leave blank. %% Students at institutions outside the U.S. may not have the same %% distinction between graduate and undergraduate studies that is followed %% in the U.S. In such cases, just enter "G". &\parskip -12pt %% If fourth author is a grad student, is this observation for his/her Ph.D. %% thesis? Enter "Yes" or "No". If fourth author is not a graduate %% student, leave blank. &\parskip -12pt %% If fourth author is a graduate student, enter the Ph.D. year, whether %% or not this observation is for the Ph.D. thesis. \\ \hline \parskip -12pt %% enter fifth author name on next blank line. If this is the author's first %% VLA or VLBA proposal, or the affiliation has changed since the last %% proposal, please put a * after the name. Ch. Phillips &\parskip -12pt %% enter fifth author institution on blank line below (abbreviate to less %% than 27 characters) ATNF, Australia &\parskip -12pt %% enter fifth author e-mail on next line Chris.Phillips@csiro.au &\parskip -12pt %% If fifth author is student, enter "G" for graduate student or "U" for %% undergraduate student. If fifth author isn't a student, leave blank. %% Students at institutions outside the U.S. may not have the same %% distinction between graduate and undergraduate studies that is followed %% in the U.S. In such cases, just enter "G". &\parskip -12pt %% If fifth author is a grad student, is this observation for his/her Ph.D. %% thesis? Enter "Yes" or "No". If fifth author is not a graduate %% student, leave blank. &\parskip -12pt %% If fifth author is a graduate student, enter the Ph.D. year, whether %% or not this observation is for the Ph.D. thesis. \\ \hline \parskip -12pt %% enter sixth author name on next blank line. If this is the author's first %% VLA or VLBA proposal, or the affiliation has changed since the last %% proposal, please put a * after the name. &\parskip -12pt %% enter sixth author institution on blank line below (abbreviate to less %% than 27 characters) &\parskip -12pt %% enter sixth author e-mail on next line &\parskip -12pt %% If sixth author is student, enter "G" for graduate student or "U" for %% undergraduate student. If sixth author isn't a student, leave blank. %% Students at institutions outside the U.S. may not have the same %% distinction between graduate and undergraduate studies that is followed %% in the U.S. In such cases, just enter "G". &\parskip -12pt %% If sixth author is a grad student, is this observation for his/her Ph.D. %% thesis? Enter "Yes" or "No". If sixth author is not a graduate %% student, leave blank. &\parskip -12pt %% If sixth author is a graduate student, enter the Ph.D. year, whether %% or not this observation is for the Ph.D. thesis. \\ \hline \parskip -12pt %% enter seventh author name on next blank line. If this is the author's first %% VLA or VLBA proposal, or the affiliation has changed since the last %% proposal, please put a * after the name. &\parskip -12pt %% enter seventh author institution on blank line below (abbreviate to less %% than 27 characters) &\parskip -12pt %% enter seventh author e-mail on next line &\parskip -12pt %% If seventh author is student, enter "G" for graduate student or "U" for %% undergraduate student. If seventh author isn't a student, leave blank. %% Students at institutions outside the U.S. may not have the same %% distinction between graduate and undergraduate studies that is followed %% in the U.S. In such cases, just enter "G". &\parskip -12pt %% If seventh author is a grad student, is this observation for his/her Ph.D. %% thesis? Enter "Yes" or "No". If seventh author is not a graduate %% student, leave blank. &\parskip -12pt %% If seventh author is a graduate student, enter the Ph.D. year, whether %% or not this observation is for the Ph.D. thesis. \\ \hline \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{3.0in}p{2.0in}p{1.5in}} {\bf (4)} Related previous or current VLBI proposal(s):&\parskip -12pt %% enter related VLBI proposal numbers on next line BB023, BF071, BP110, BP118, BK125, BP133 & %% If this is a resubmission of a proposal change \NO to \YES below $\NO$ Resubmission \\ \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{1.25truein}p{2.20truein}p{0.9truein}p{2.9truein}} \multicolumn{2}{l}{{\bf (5)} Contact author for scheduling: %% enter contact author's name on next line Ed Fomalont } &\parskip -12pt {\bf (6)} Telephone:\ &\parskip -12pt %% enter contact author's telephone number on next line +1-804-296-0232 \\ \parskip -12pt \hskip 0.72in Address: &\parskip -12pt %% enter first line of contact author's address on next line NRAO, 520 Edgemont Road, \parskip -12pt&\hskip 0.63in Fax: &\parskip -12pt %% enter contact author's Fax number on next line +1-804-296-0278 \\ \parskip -12pt &\parskip -12pt %% enter second line of contact author's address on next line Charlottesville, VA 22903--2475 \\ \parskip -12pt &\parskip -12pt %% enter third line of contact author's address on next line email: efomalon@nrao.edu &&\\ \parskip -12pt&\parskip -12pt %% enter fourth line of contact author's address on next line &&\\ \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{1.4truein}p{1.5truein}p{0.7truein}p{1.0truein}p{0.7truein}p{2.2truein}} {\bf (7)} Scientific Category: &\parskip -12pt %% on the next few lines find the category that applies to your %% project and replace ``\NO'' with ``\YES'' on that line $\YES$ astrometry \& geodesy& $\NO$ galactic& $\NO$ extragalactic& $\NO$ other:&\parskip -10pt %% if you replaced $\NO$ on the previous line (next to "other"), give a short %% description (a couple of words maximum) of the type of observation %% on the next line \\ \end{tabular} } \smallskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{1.8truein}p{1.3truein}p{1.1truein}p{1.6truein}p{0.1truein}} %% The next few lines apply ONLY to VLBA proposals for Rapid Response Science. %% See http://www.vla.nrao.edu/astro/ under "Proposer Information and %% Documentation" to see if your proposal qualifies. Please note that %% VLBA Exploratory Proposals and Target of Opportunity Proposals must be %% submitted to a different e-mail address than the standard. %% Exploratory: exploresoc@nrao.edu %% Target of Opportunity: toosoc@nrao.edu \ \ \ \ \ Rapid Response Science: &\parskip -12pt %% on the next few lines find the category that applies to your %% project and replace ``NO'' with ``YES'' on that line $\NO$ Known Transient & $\NO$ Exploratory & $\NO$ Target of Opportunity &\parskip -10pt \\ \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{0.5truein}p{0.6truein}p{0.5truein}p{0.5truein}p{0.5truein}p{0.5truein}p{0.5truein}p{0.5truein}p{0.6truein}p{0.8truein}} \multicolumn{10}{l}{{\bf (8)} Wavelength(s) requested (those not available on the global network are indicated with a small circle):}\\ & % on the next few lines find the wavelengths being requested and % replace the ``NO'' or ``SOME'' with ``YES'' on that line $\NO$ 90cm& $\NO$ 50cm& $\NO$ 30cm& $\NO$ 21cm& $\NO$ 18cm& $\NO$ 13cm& $\NO$ 6cm& $\NO$ 5cm& $\NO$ 3.6cm& $\YES$ 3.6/13cm\\& $\NO$ 2cm & $\NO$ 1.3cm& $\NO$ 7mm& $\NO$ 3mm\\ &\multicolumn{4}{l}{ % if network standard setup is being used, replace the ``NO'' with ``YES'' % on the line below $\NO$ Global Network standard bands }& \multicolumn{6}{l}{ % if frequencies other than network standard setups are being requested, % replace the ``NO'' with ``YES'' on the line below, and % enter the band(s) requested on the following blank line $\NO$ Special frequencies: }\\ &&&&&&& \vskip -10pt \rule{2.8in}{0.5pt} \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{\vskip -12pt \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} \multicolumn{2}{l}{{\bf (9)} Recording format: % For VLBA only: % If you are proposing to observe with the default continuum setup, change % NO to YES on the line below, and skip ahead to item 10 (search for '(10)') $\YES$ Default continuum setup (VLBA only), % Default setups depend on the correlator and band(s) being used and whether % polarization measurement is requested. For the VLBA correlator, the % default setup is is an aggregate bit rate of 128 Mbits/sec, with dual % polarization and four or eight channels and one or two bit quantization, % depending on band. % Skip this item if you have selected `default continuum setup' above. % indicate the recording format by replacing the NO with YES on one % of the lines below $\NO$ VLBA/MkIV, $\NO$ MkIII: Mode % If Mark III recording, enter the requested mode on the following % line. Include double speed if that is what you want. } \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 5.80in \rule{1.in}{0.5pt} } \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{\vskip -12pt \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} &\multicolumn{1}{l}{Bandwidth per BaseBand channel: % Skip this item if you have selected `default continuum setup' above. % Give bandwidth of BaseBand channel filters in MHz on the next blank line. % If more than one bandwidth is to be used, give number of channels at % each bandwidth } \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 2.69in \rule{1.in}{0.5pt} } \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{1.2truein}p{0.26truein}p{0.1truein}p{0.2truein}p{1.0truein}p{0.2truein}p{2.1truein}} &Aggregate bit rate:\ &\parskip -12pt % Skip this item if you have selected `default continuum setup' above. % for MkIV or VLBA format observations, indicate the aggregate bit rate. % Note: 128 Mbits/sec is the maximum sustainable aggregate bit rate for % the VLBA. Requests to use higher bit rates on the VLBA should be % specifically discussed in the scientific justification. 256 Mbits/sec % is generally the maximum, but 512 Mbits/sec may be available under % very restrictive conditions (on the VLBA, this is a maximum of 5 hours % of recording in a period of 15-20 hours). % Enter the aggregate bit rate (sample rate times number of baseband channels % times bits per sample) on the line below. 256 \parskip -12pt &(\ &\parskip -12pt % Skip this item if you have selected `default continuum setup' above. % for MkIV or VLBA format observations, enter the number of baseband % channels on the following line 8 \parskip -12pt & BB channels at\ &\parskip -12pt % Skip this item if you have selected `default continuum setup' above. % for MkIv or VLBA format observations, enter the sample rate in % MSamples/sec (32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1, .5) on the % following line 16 \parskip -12pt & MSamples/sec of % Skip this item if you have selected `default continuum setup' above. % for MkIV or VLBA format observations, indicate if one bit or two bit % sampling is requested by changing ``NO'' to ``YES'' on one of the next % two lines $\NO$ 1 bit, $\YES$ 2 bit )\hfil \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 1.7in \rule{0.62in}{0.5pt} \hskip 0.08in \rule{0.50in}{0.5pt} \hskip 0.95in \rule{0.50in}{0.5pt} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{2.0truein}p{0.4truein}p{0.6truein}p{0.4truein}p{1.5truein}p{1.0truein}} \multicolumn{1}{l}{{\bf (10)} % If this proposal requests multiple epochs, change the ``NO'' to ``YES'' % on the line below $\NO$ Multi-epoch observation:}\ &\parskip -12pt % If multi-epoch, enter number of epochs requested with this proposal % on the line below \parskip -12pt & epochs of\ & \parskip -12pt % enter number of hours requested per epoch on the line below \parskip -12pt & hours each, separated by\ & \parskip -12pt % enter the separation between epochs on the next blank line below. Include % units - eg ``4 months'' or ``2 days'' \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 2.2in \rule{0.50in}{0.5pt} \hskip 0.80in \rule{0.50in}{0.5pt} \hskip 1.70in \rule{1.00in}{0.5pt} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7in \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{|p{1.5truein}|p{3.7truein}|p{2.0truein}|} \hline {\bf (11)} Network&\hfil Requested antennas\hfil &\hfil Total time requested \\ \hline EVN \& MERLIN &\parskip -12pt % REQUESTED ANTENNAS % List antennas requested from the EVN on the next blank line. % Do NOT say "ALL" but specify using the 2-letter station % codes as given below. Consult the EVN STATUS TABLE at the % EVN User Guide at http://www.evlbi.org to find out which % telescopes are available at your requested frequency(ies): % Eb Jb Wb On Mc Nt Tr Ur Sh Cm Hh Yb Mh Wz Ar % If this is an EVN+MERLIN request, include MERLIN in the list. &\parskip -12pt % On the line below, list the total time requested of the EVN antennas \\ \hline VLBA&\parskip -12pt % List antennas requested from the VLBA on the next blank line % (ALL may be specified) ALL &\parskip -12pt % On the line below, list the total time requested of the VLBA antennas $ 3 \times 24 $ hours \\ \hline other NRAO&\parskip -12pt % On the next blank line, list other requested NRAO antennas % For example, VLA (specify Y1 or Y27) &\parskip -12pt % On the next blank line, list the total time per antenna requested on % other NRAO antennas \\ \hline \multicolumn{1}{|l|}{ % On the next blank line, enter the name of another participating network % (e.g. DSN, SHEVE) } &\parskip -12pt % On the next blank line, list the antennas requested from that network % or unaffiliated antennas &\parskip -12pt % On the next blank line, list the total time time per antenna requested of % these antennas \\ \hline Non-VLBI Instruments&\parskip -12pt % On the next blank line, list coordinated simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous % observations required on other instruments - especially VLA for % polarization calibration or pulsar phase determination. % VLA time for such purposes can be allocated on the basis of this proposal &\parskip -12pt % On the next blank line, list the total time requested of these instruments \\ \hline \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.75truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{7.0truein}} {\bf (12)} ABSTRACT (Do not write outside this space. Please type)\\ \vskip 1.7in \hrule width 7.0in \\ Scheduler use only\\ \parskip -12pt (8/03)\\ \vskip -2.3in % give a short description (abstract) of 150 words or less of your % proposed observation and what you want to accomplish on the % following lines \par\medskip\par We request three 24 hour blocks of VLBA observing time for a search of new calibrators in the declination zone \mbox{[$-50^\circ$, $-25^\circ$]} that are needed for the southern VLBI network LBA, as well as for the ALMA, and the SKA pathfinders in Australia and South Africa. This project compliments efforts of the Australian VLBI group for an increase the number of calibrators in the southern hemisphere. \par\medskip\par We propose to observe 500 new sources in the declination zone where the density of calibrators was significantly less than on average, in order to derive their position with milliarcsec accuracy and to get estimates of the correlated flux density and compactness. The purpose of this project is to extend the VLBA Calibrator list to the southern sky for benefits of the user community. % END OF INPUT FOR SIDE 1 \end{tabular} } \clearpage % START PAGE 2 \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{7truein}} \multicolumn{1}{l}{{\bf (13)} Observation type: % On the lines below, replace the ``NO'' with ``YES'' for all that apply $\YES$ Interferometry, $\NO$ Spectroscopy, $\NO$ Pulsar, $\NO$ Phase referencing } \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{7truein}} \multicolumn{1}{l}{{\bf (14)} Proposal is % If the proposal is suitable for dynamic scheduling (that is, the % observer will supply an observe file in GST which will be executed % when the status of the array and weather is satisfactory, and the % observer may not be notified until after the observation has taken % place) change the ``NO'' to ``YES'' on the line below. Note that % EVN, Global and VLBA+Effelsberg proposals are NOT SUITABLE for % dynamic scheduling. $\YES$ Suitable % if the proposal is unsuitable for dynamic scheduling (perhaps needing % coordination with some other instrument or requiring a fixed date % of observation, change the ``NO'' to ``YES'' on the line below, and % if the reason is not one of the above, indicate what it is in the % body of the proposal. % $\NO$ Unsuitable for dynamic scheduling. } \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{7truein}} \multicolumn{1}{l}{{\bf (15)} Polarization: % Indicate the polarization to be recorded by replacing the ``NO'' with % ``YES'' on one of the lines below. $\YES$ Single Polarization~~ $\NO$ Dual Circular Polarization }\\ \hskip 0.5in Global network standard for single polarization is LCP for all $\lambda$s except 13cm (RCP) and 3.6cm (RCP). \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{7truein}} \multicolumn{1}{l}{{\bf (16)} Tape usage (Show $<$recording time$>$/$<$total time$>$): % If a recording duty cycle substantially less than 100 \% being proposed, % enter on the next blank line the percentage of time when recording is to % occur. Otherwise, leave blank. } \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 3.65in \rule{0.50in}{0.5pt} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{1.2truein}p{1.1truein}p{1.2truein}p{2.6truein}} \multicolumn{2}{l}{{\bf (17)} Assistance required:}\\ & Observation Setup:& % If assistance is needed for observation preparation and setup, replace % ``NO'' with ``YES'' on the appropriate line below % Note that observe file preparation for the VLBA is available only to % novice users from U.S. institutions. $\NO$ Consultation,& $\NO$ Extensive help,& $\NO$ Observe file preparation\\ &Postprocessing:& % If assistance is needed for postprocessing, replace % ``NO'' with ``YES'' on the appropriate line below % Note that the calibration service provided by NRAO for the VLBA is % presently only available for simple VLBA experiments. % All EVN and EVN/Global VLBI projects correlated at the EVN correlator at % JIVE, are automatically pipelined. The apriori calibration files and AIPS % Calibration tables are available at:www.evlbi.org/pipeline/user_expts.html % Images of target sources are produced on the PIs request. $\NO$ Consultation,& $\NO$ Extensive help,& $\NO$ Calibration service \end{tabular} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} \multicolumn{2}{l}{{\bf (18)} Processor:~ % Change ``NO'' to ``YES'' on the appropriate line below to specify the % desired correlator. $\YES$ Socorro, $\NO$ JIVE, $\NO$ Haystack, $\NO$ Bonn, $\NO$ Washington, $\NO$ Other % If ``Other'' is specified, please enter the correlator name on % the next line. } \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 5.40in \rule{1.00in}{0.5pt} \\ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} &\multicolumn{1}{l}{Special processing: % If cross polarized correlation is needed, replace ``NO'' with % ``YES'' on the line below (and indicate dual polarization recording % on item 15 above (search on '(15)'). $\NO$ XPol, % If pulsar gating is required, replace ``NO'' with ``YES'' % on the line below $\NO$ Pulsar gate, % If processing at multiple field centers is required, replace ``NO'' with % ``YES'' on the line below $\NO$ Multiple Fields: % If ``YES'' was entered for multiple fields, enter number of correlation % passes on the line below. } \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 4.45in \rule{0.50in}{0.5pt} } \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{1.0truein}p{1.0truein}p{2.4truein}p{0.6truein}} &Averaging time:& \multicolumn{1}{l}{ % Enter averaging time in seconds on the next blank line. % Leave blank for the correlator default averaging time. 0.5 sec }\hskip 0.5in & Spectral channels per baseband channel:& \multicolumn{1}{l}{ % Enter the number of spectral channels per IF channel on the line below 64 } \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 1.55in \rule{0.60in}{0.5pt} \hskip 2.8in \rule{0.60in}{0.5pt} } \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} &\multicolumn{1}{l}{ % if other special processing is required, replace ``NO'' with ``YES'' % on the line below $\NO$ Other special processing: % if other spectral processing is required, enter a descriptive word on % the next line } \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 2.3in \rule{3.60in}{0.5pt} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{7truein}} \multicolumn{1}{l}{{\bf (19)} Postprocessing Location: % Enter the location where postprocessing is to be done on the line below % (e.g., NRAO-SOC, JIVE) GSFC, MPIfR, NRAO-CV } \end{tabular} \vskip -10pt \hskip 1.95in \rule{1.9in}{0.5pt} } \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} \multicolumn{2}{l}{{\bf (20)} Source list:\ \ % Change the ``NO'' to ``YES'' on one of the lines below, depending on % the equinox of the positions in the source list to follow: % Note - J2000 positions are preferred. $\NO$ J2000 $\NO$ B1950 }\\ &If more than 4 sources, please attach list. If more than 30, give only selection criteria and GST range(s) \end{tabular}} \medskip \moveleft 0.7truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{|p{1.85truein}|p{1.2truein}|p{1.2truein}|p{1.2truein}|p{1.2truein}|} \hline &\hfil Source 1 \hfil & \hfil Source 2 \hfil &\hfil Source 3 \hfil &\hfil Source 4 \hfil \\ \hline Name(s) &\parskip -12pt % On the following blank line, enter the name of the first source ALL SKY &\parskip -12pt % On the following blank line, enter the name of the second source &\parskip -12pt % On the following blank line, enter the name of the third source &\parskip -12pt % On the following blank line, enter the name of the fourth source \\ \hline RA (hh mm)&\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the right ascension of the first source 0--24h &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the right ascension of the second source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the right ascension of the third source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the right ascension of the fourth source \\ \hline Dec (dd.d)&\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the declination of the first source --50d to +88d &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the declination of the second source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the declination of the third source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the declination of the fourth source \\ \hline GST range (Europe)&\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested European GST range, 1st source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested European GST range, 2st source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested European GST range, 3st source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested European GST range, 4st source \\ \hline GST range (US)&\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested US GST range, 1st source 0--24h &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested US GST range, 2st source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested US GST range, 3st source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested US GST range, 4st source \\ \hline GST range (Other) &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested GST range, 1st source, other antennas &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested GST range, 2st source, other antennas &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested GST range, 3st source, other antennas &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, requested GST range, 4st source, other antennas \\ \hline Band(s) &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the band(s) at which the first source % is to be observed S/X &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the band(s) at which the second source % is to be observed &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the band(s) at which the third source % is to be observed &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter the band(s) at which the fourth source % is to be observed \\ \hline Flux density (Total, Jy) &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter total flux density of the first source $>$50 mJy &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter total flux density of the second source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter total flux density of the third source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter total flux density of the fourth source \\ \hline Flux density (correlated, mJy) &\parskip -12pt % on the next blank line, enter expected correlated flux density of the % first source $>$50 mJy &\parskip -12pt % on the next blank line, enter expected correlated flux density of the % second source &\parskip -12pt % on the next blank line, enter expected correlated flux density of the % third source &\parskip -12pt % on the next blank line, enter expected correlated flux density of the % fourth source \\ \hline RMS needed (mJy/beam) &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter needed RMS (mJy/beam), 1st source 3--5 mJy &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter needed RMS (mJy/beam), 2nd source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter needed RMS (mJy/beam), 3rd source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter needed RMS (mJy/beam), 4th source \\ \hline Peak/RMS needed &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter needed Peak/RMS needed, 1st source $>$100:1 &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter needed Peak/RMS needed, 2nd source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter needed Peak/RMS needed, 3rd source &\parskip -12pt % on the following blank line, enter needed Peak/RMS needed, 4th source \\ \hline \end{tabular}} \smallskip \moveleft 0.75truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{7.0truein}} % At this point, if you are giving selection criteria instead of a % source list, you may insert a three line summary of the criteria. \parskip -12pt \\ \end{tabular}} \medskip \moveleft 0.75truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} \multicolumn{2}{l}{{\bf (21)} Preferred VLBI session or range of dates for scheduling, and why:}\\ &\parskip -12pt % On the following line, enter preferred date or session Three 24 hour sessions. \parskip -12pt \\ \end{tabular}} \medskip \moveleft 0.75truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} \multicolumn{2}{l}{{\bf (22)} Dates which are NOT acceptable, and why: }\\ &\parskip -12pt % On the following line, enter dates which are not acceptable \parskip -12pt \\ \end{tabular}} % END OF INPUT FOR VLBI COVERSHEET, SIDE 2. \medskip \moveleft 0.75truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{0.3truein}p{6.7truein}} \multicolumn{2}{l}{{\bf (23)} Attach a self-contained scientific justification, not in excess of 1000 words.}\\ &Preprints or reprints will not be forwarded to the referees. \end{tabular}} \vskip 0.75in \moveleft 0.65truein \vbox{ \begin{tabular}{p{6.9truein}} Information about the capabilities of the VLBA may be found on the World Wide Web by starting at the NRAO home page, http://www.nrao.edu, and selecting the VLBA from ``Sites and Telescopes.'' \\ \\ A brief summary of the capabilities of the EVN antennas is given in the EVN STATUS TABLE in the EVN USER GUIDE, which may be found at http://www.evlbi.org/user\_guide/user\_guide.html. \\ \\ Please include the full postal addresses for first-time users or for those that have moved (if not contact author). \end{tabular}} \clearpage \textheight 9.3in \hsize=7in \columnwidth=7in %\pagestyle{plain} \voffset=-0.7in \hoffset=-1.3in \vsize=8.9in \parindent 20pt \normalsize %% TYPE YOUR SCIENTIFIC JUSTIFICATION BEGINNING ON THE NEXT LINE. %% DO NOT EXCEED 1000 WORDS. EXCESS TEXT MAY CAUSE YOUR PROPOSAL %% TO BE DOWNGRADED. % \end{document} \centerline{\LARGE\bf Search for calibrators in the deep south} \par\vspace{-2ex}\par \section{Summary} We request three 24 hour blocks of VLBA observing time for a search of new calibrators in the declination zone \mbox{[$-50^\circ$, $-25^\circ$]} that are needed for the southern VLBI network LBA, as well as the ALMA, and the prototype of the SKA at South Africa. This project compliments efforts of the Australian VLBI group for an increase the number of calibrators in the southern hemisphere. \section{Previous Observations} VLBA Observing programs BB023, BF071, BP110, BP118, BK125, and BP133 were designed to expand the list of calibrator sources suitable for phase referencing, for geodetic observations, and for space navigation. The need for separations of no more than several degrees between the calibrator and target source for successful phase referencing, e.g., \cite{r1}, requires a list of several thousand calibrator sources. Twenty four VLBA Calibrator observing sessions, each of 24 hours, were made between 1994 and 2007. % We observed simultaneously at S/X bands with the standard frequencies and % spanned bandwidths used by most astrometric and geodetic campaigns. This % allowed us to obtain ionosphere-free linear combinations of group delay % observables used for determination of the milli-arcsecond accurate radio % positions with the GSFC software package Calc/Solve. The results from the above observations were published, \cite{vcs1}, \cite{vcs2}, \cite{vcs3}, \cite{vcs4}, \cite{vcs5}, \cite{vcs6} and made available on the Web at {\tt http://www.vlba.nrao.edu/astro/calib, http://vlbi.gsfc.nasa.gov/astro, http://vlbi.gsfc.nasa.gov/vcs/}. In the web sites, all sources within a specified distance from a selected target position can be found, and images and visibility plots for each potential calibrator can be scrutinized. Owing to VLBA Calibrator Survey observations, the number of calibrators in the pool surpassed 3000 by 2007. \section{Proposed Observations} However, the number of calibrators in declination zones below $-30^\circ$ drops by a factor of 4 as shown in Figure~1 and table~1. The probability of not finding a calibrator within $3^\circ$ from the target is only 6\% in northern hemisphere, but increases to 25\% at the declination zone [$-30^\circ$, $-40^\circ$] and 58\% at declinations below $-40^\circ$. \par\bigskip\par\noindent %\begin{figure}[t] % \caption{Calibrator source density per steradian as a function in various % declination zones} % \vspace{-2ex} % \begin{center} % \end{center} % \label{f:dens} % \vspace{-4ex} %\end{figure} % % %\begin{table}[ht] % \caption{Probability to find a calibrator in the disk of the specified % radius at any given direction in various declination zones} % \label{t:dens} % \vspace{-2ex} % \begin{center} % \mpal{ Figure 1. Calibrator source density per steradian as a function in various declination zones. \par\vspace{1ex}\par \epsfxsize=0.99\textwidth \epsfclipon \epsffile{lba_dec2007_fig1.eps} } \par\vspace{-72mm}\par \hspace{0.49\textwidth} \mpar{ Table 1. Probability to find a calibrator in the disk of the specified radius at any given direction in various declination zones. \par\vspace{1ex}\par \begin{tabular}{|l@{\qquad}c@{\qquad}c@{\qquad}c|} \hline Zone & $2^\circ$ & $3^\circ$ & $4^\circ$ \\ \hline $-20^\circ$, $+90^\circ$ & 70.2\% & 94.1\% & 99.5\% \\ $-30^\circ$, $-20^\circ$ & 64.6\% & 90.7\% & 98.5\% \\ $-40^\circ$, $-30^\circ$ & 45.1\% & 75.1\% & 91.6\% \\ $-52^\circ$, $-40^\circ$ & 21.5\% & 42.3\% & 61.2\% \\ $-90^\circ$, $-52^\circ$ & 21.3\% & 41.4\% & 61.1\% \\ \hline \end{tabular} } \par\vspace{36mm}\par % \end{center} % \vspace{-4ex} %\end{table} %\end{figure} There is a need to extend the pool of calibrators further to the southern hemisphere: \par\bigskip\par \begin{minipage}{0.85\textwidth} \begin{enumerate} \item VLBI observations with the southern VLBI network LBA need calibrators for phase-referencing observations of weak sources. One of the important applications will be follow-up observations of $\gamma$-ray sources that will be detected with the GLAST mission. Many of them will be weak at radio frequencies and will require a nearby phase calibrator for detection. % \end{enumerate} \end{minipage} \newpage \begin{minipage}{0.85\textwidth} \begin{enumerate} \renewcommand{\theenumi}{2} \item ALMA, as well as the SKA precursors in Australia and South Africa, needs 50--100 strong compact calibrators over the sky. These primary calibrators will be used for determination of ALMA antenna positions. These primary calibrators will be used for the determination of ALMA antenna positions (and similar astrometric calibrations for SKA) to the specified accuracy. the positional accuracy needed for the calibrators is about 1-mas level. \renewcommand{\theenumi}{3} \item Since it is difficult to predict which sources observed at S/X band will be sufficiently bright or compact 300~GHz, the frequency that ALMA to be used for most accurate astrometric observations, or at $<1.6$~GHz for the SKA, the number of candidate primary calibrators found at S/X band should be at least 200. \renewcommand{\theenumi}{4} \item ALMA and SKA will need several thousands secondary calibrator sources for the separation of a target to a secondary calibrator to be less than 2--$3^\circ$. The grid of secondary calibrator will be also used for differential astrometry,and their positions should be known with accuracy better of a few mas in order to obtain accurate absolute positions and to remove contribution of second order phase effects. Thus, the position of these secondary calibrators must be accurately tied to the global set of primary calibrators already cataloged. \end{enumerate} \end{minipage} \par\bigskip\par Recognizing these challenges, a program for a search of calibrators with the LBA in the declination zone \mbox{[$-90^\circ$, $-50^\circ$]} has been submitted to the LBA, and the first experiment is scheduled at 2008.02.05\footnote{http://vlbi.gsfc.nasa.gov/lcs/}. Since the LBA currently observes only 14 days per year, extension of calibrator search with the LBA to declinations above $-50^\circ$ is problematic, because it would take a disproportionally large share of resources. In order to match these efforts, we propose to observe candidate flat-spectrum sources in the declination zone [$-50^\circ$, $-25^\circ$] with the VLBA. This will require to observe at low elevation angles, down to 5$^\circ$. We will use the same elevation angle limit as in routine geodetic experiments. The declination accuracy will be relatively poor, but the compactness of the source should be well determined. The list of 500 bright flat spectrum candidate sources is selected on the basis of the preliminary version of the AT20G catalogue\footnote{http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/AT20G}. % Although the main purpose of this experiment is community service, these % observations will also address long-term scientific goals of proposers for % extension of the homogeneous flux limited sample of compact sources to the % southern hemisphere. The sample allows to investigating various statistics. \section{Technical details} Observations should be done in three 24~hour runs, as is usually done for absolute astrometry observations, in order to minimize systematic errors. We propose to observe in the same manner as previously, dual S/X band with wide spanned bandwidth, two scans of 3 minutes long per source and 10~minute bursts of troposphere calibrators over the sky every 1.5--2 hours. Since the entire array will not see low declination sources, different source will be observed at sub-arrays, as it usually done in geodesy mode. Southern stations MK, SC, KP, FD, and PT will observe sources with declinations below $-40^\circ$, while northern stations at the same time will observe sources with declinations above $-40^\circ$. The third 24~run will be scheduled after preliminary results of first two runs will be known. That run will focus on re-observing sources that were missed due to failures, bad weather, etc., and on observing sources in the declination zone [$-25^\circ$, $-35^\circ$]. We request 256~Mbps recording rate because we have to observe at low elevation angles that limits integration time. From the other hand, we need to reach the baseline SNR at least 20 in order to determine source coordinates with milliarcsec accuracy at a limited number of antennas. Considering that the VLBA at S/X has sensitivity of 4--5~mJy for 3 minutes of integration time at 256~Mbps at low elevations, this allows us to observe sources with the expected correlated flux density at a level of 100~mJy. The calibration and imaging will be made by using packages AIPS and DIFMAP. We do not expect maps to be of great quality due to a very poor $uv$-coverage, but properly calibrated visibilities will provide valuable estimates of correlated flux densities that are needed for scheduling phase calibrator observations. Positions will be determined with Calc/Solve. Both, positions and maps in FITS format, will be included in the VLBA Calibrator list and become available on the Web to the community within 30~days upon completion of correlation. Based on our experience of analyzing low elevation data, we expect the position accuracy of 2--5~mas, a factor of 2 worse than in previous VCS observations. \par\bigskip\par\par\bigskip\par\par\bigskip\par \begin{minipage}{0.82\textwidth} \begin{thebibliography}{10} \bibitem{r1} Beasley,~A.~J., in {\em Very Long Baseline Interferometry and the VLBA}, 1995 ASPCS, 82, 327 \vspace{-1ex}\par \bibitem{vcs1} Beasley,~A.~J., Gordon,~D., Peck,~A.~B., Petrov,~L., MacMillan,~D.~S., Fomalont,~E.~B., \& Ma,~C. 2002, ApJS, 141, 13 \vspace{-1ex}\par \bibitem{vcs2} Fomalont, E.~B., Petrov, L., MacMillan, D.~S., Gordon, D., \& Ma, C., 2003, AJ, 126 (N5), 2562, 2003. \vspace{-1ex}\par \bibitem{vcs3} Petrov, L, Kovalev, Y.~Y., Fomalont E., Gordon D., AJ, 129, 1163, 2005. %@ \vspace{-1ex}\par %@ {\tt http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0409698} \vspace{-1ex}\par \bibitem{vcs4} Petrov, L, Kovalev, Y.~Y., Fomalont E., Gordon D., AJ, 131, 1872, 2006. %@ \vspace{-1ex}\par %@ {\tt http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0508506} \vspace{-1ex}\par \bibitem{vcs5} Kovalev, Y.~Y., Petrov, L, Fomalont E., Gordon D., AJ, 133, 1236, 2007. %@ \vspace{-1ex}\par %@ {\tt http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/060724} \vspace{-1ex}\par \bibitem{vcs6} Petrov, L., Kovalev, Y.~Y., Fomalont E., Gordon D., 2008, submitted to AJ. \vspace{-1ex}\par {\tt http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0801.3895} \end{thebibliography} \end{minipage} \end{document}