Astrid:Astronomer’s Integrated Desktop

Session 1: Introduction to Astrid & User Interface Overview

October 5, 2005Amy Shelton (ashelton@nrao.edu)

Astronomer’s Integrated Desktop

• What is Astrid?

– Astrid is a container from which you use various GBT apps, e.g. Observation Management (Turtle), Data Display (GFM).

– Multiple application instances are supported, e.g. two GFMs.

• Why use Astrid?

– Reduces the number of applications that observers have to launch to begin observing to ONE; most useful for observing remotely!

– Observers do not have to know the difference between those applications to report issues.

• How is Astrid different from other programs like GFM?

– Astrid provides a way for visitors (and support staff) to access Turtle, GFM, and other applications within a single container. However, Astrid does not replace these applications.

• How do I launch Astrid?

– Simply type “astrid” at any Linux prompt.

Astrid: Online/Offline Dialog

Astrid Composition

Application Components

Drop-DownMenus Tool Bar

Application ComponentLog Window

Observation Control Section

Queue Control Section

Observation State

Section

Application

Astrid Drop Down Menus: File

Opens new Application

Components

Closes selected

Application Component

* Items such as Open or Save act as appropriate for the selected Application Component

Exits all Application

Components and Astrid

Astrid Drop Down Menus: Help->Documentation

Observation Management Components: Edit

Initiates Manual

Validation

File Import/Export

Facilities

Save Scheduling

Block to Observing Database

Project ID

Validation State

Indicator

Scheduling Block

Identifier

Scheduling Blocks Assoc.with Project

Removes undesired

Scheduling Blocks from Observing Database

Observing Script

Observation Management Components: Run

List of Scheduling

Blocks available to be

run on the telescope

Scheduling Blocks listed in the Run Queue are executed serially

Execute Scheduling

Blocks on the GBT via

Submit Button

Move Scheduling

Blocks up and down in

priority within the Run Queue

On duty GBT operator

Session Identifier

* The Project ID and Session Identifier are combined to

create the data directory name.

Observer’s Name

Project ID

Remove Scheduling Blocks from Run Queue

Observing History for

Current Session

Observation Management Components: Monitor

User Options Save log to file

Observation Log displayed for observer and

saved to database

Observation Log

Observation Management Components: Control

M&C System Information

Stop Sub-Scan/SB

Abort Sub-Scan/SB

Toggles Queue

Processing

Pause SB

Scheduling Block State

Toggles Handling of Interactive

Pop-up Dialogs

Data Display

More Information on Astrid, etc.

• Go to the main page of the Software Wiki at: http://wiki.gb.nrao.edu/bin/view/Software/WebHome

Follow the links in the

Products table