CASA Contributed Script: vlacal-setjy

This page is currently under development. Please do not use this guide until this message has been removed.

Flux-density calibration for the VLA typically involves an observation of one of four primary calibrators: 3C286, 3C48, 3C138 and 3C147. Models for these sources are distributed as part of the CASA package and model visibilities are predicted using the task setjy. The most current models available in setjy are accessible using the flux-density standard Perley Butler 2017 (hereafter PB17), which is based on observations conducted on or before January 2016.

Given the significant, recent variability in some primary calibrators (i.e., 3C48 and 3C147) NRAO staff are creating a new flux-density standard based on more recent observations. Instead of packaging these new models with CASA, NRAO will host a database that is continually updated with the latest monitoring data which will have an approximately monthly cadence. A new flux-density standard will be added to the task setjy to make use of these new models (estimated release date 2023). Until the new version of setjy is released, this contributed script vlacal-setjy.py can be executed to obtain the newest models from the database. This casaguide provides documentation and examples of how to use this script.