Solar System Models in CASA 4.0
Overview
The detailed radio wavelength spectral energy distributions, including time variability, and contributions from molecular line emission of Solar System Objects (SS Objects) is an active field of astronomical research. In preparation for ALMA commissioning and Early Science an initial set of Solar System Object models were compiled called Bulter-Horizons-2010. These models represented what was known at that time about the millimeter to submm behavior of the most useful SS Objects. All Science Verification and Cycle 0 data were calibrated with the Bulter-Horizons-2010 models and CASA 3.3 or 3.4. With the wealth of new information now available from telescopes like Herschel, along with more detailed models of some of the more prevalent atmospheric spectral lines in SS Objects, the models were updated for the CASA 4.0 release. The new models are called Bulter-Horizons-2012 and represent the current best understanding from published or publicly available work. A memo describing the details of how the models themselves and how they work in CASA can be found in the ALMA Memo Series at: https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/aboutALMA/Technology/ALMA_Memo_Series/alma594/abs594. Experts from around the world were consulted in the compilation of these models and they represent the current state-of-the-art. It is anticipated that for future releases of CASA we will continue to incorporate improvements to the models as the field continues to progress.
The table below shows the percentage difference ([2012/2010 -1]) in the "zero spacing" flux density between the 2012 and 2010 models derived for March 1, 2013 at four fiducial "continuum" frequencies, i.e. ones that should not be contaminated by significant line emission. The purpose of the table is to give an overall sense of the magnitude of the differences in the two models. The actual values of the models on any give date will change. For most objects this is (so far) only due to the change in apparent size of the SS Object as it moves nearer or further from us over time. Additionally, the model for Mars attempts to account for changes in the weather and hence albedo of Mars over time as well.
| Object | 103 GHz | 241 GHz | 349 GHz | 681 GHz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venus | -0.01 | -0.01 | +0.00 | +0.38 |
| Mars | +0.00 | +0.06 | +0.08 | +0.12 |
| Ceres | +0.11 | +0.12 | +0.13 | +0.13 |
| Jupiter | -0.05 | -0.02 | -0.03 | -0.13 |
| Ganymede | -0.22 | -0.14 | -0.10 | -0.02 |
| Callisto | -0.21 | -0.15 | -0.12 | -0.07 |
| Pallas | +0.16 | +0.16 | +0.16 | +0.17 |
| Neptune | -0.05 | -0.04 | -0.11 | +0.13 |
| Titan | +0.07 | -0.01 | -0.01 | -0.01 |
| Uranus | +0.02 | +0.00 | +0.03 | -0.11 |
| Vesta | +0.13 | +0.13 | +0.13 | +0.13 |
From this table it is clear that the differences are typically a few to 20%, with a significant outlier for Venus at Band 9 (38%). Below we describe how you can find the values for specific observing dates, and how you can correct your data if you so chose.
Determine SS Object Flux Density on Specific Date
# In CASA
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