Observing with SCUBA-2

Overview of SCUBA-2

• SCUBA-2 project summary
• SCUBA-2 Blog - SCUBA-2 news blog
• UK ATC SCUBA-2 homepage
• Cryostat window, filter and dichroic - specification and measurements
  

Observing with SCUBA-2

JCMT operates a 12-hour night, running from approximately 7:30pm to 7:30am HST. Earlier starts may compromise short-wavelength data. For observers particularly interested in good 450um focusing it is recommended start of shift is pushed back to 8:30pm.

• SCUBA-2 Observing Modes
  
  • Scan Patterns
  • High elevation constraints
  • NEFD versus transmission
  • Noise integration
  • Radial dependence of noise in maps
  • Filtering SCUBA-2 data and large scale structure

Calculating Integration Times

• Integration time calculator
  
• SCUBA-2 integration time formulae
  

Setting up your MSBs

• Main JCMT OT primer
• Preparing SCUBA-2 MSBs

Data Reduction

For best results use the latest Starlink software and rsync for updates.
For quicklooks download processed SCUBA2 data (per scan/night/project) from the Archive.

• The SMURF SCUBA-2 Data Analysis Cookbook
  
• Data reduction - a quick guide to reducing SCUBA-2 data
  
• Pipeline & Archives Blog - the latest in JCMT data pipeline development
  
• Picard Manual - pipeline for combining and analyzing reduced data
  

Commissioning

• SCUBA-2 Polarimeter
• SCUBA-2 Fourier Transform Spectrometer

Calibration

• Primary Continuum Calibration - Uranus, Neptune & Mars : use of fluxes & fluxnow
• Secondary calibrators - our small sample: established using SCUBA

Previous continuum receivers:
SCUBA
UKT14
Thumper