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Pointing / Focusing

Pointing sessions are made every one to two weeks; at present, the fitted pointing parameters yield an absolute rms pointing accuracy of better than 3'' [14]. We also try to keep the receivers as closely aligned as possible (to about 2'', however, alignment can be lost occasionally). Checking the pointing, focus, and receiver alignment is the responsibility of the observers (use a planet for alignment checks). Systematic (up to 0.4 mm) differences between the foci of various receivers were noted in the past and may well persist, even with the new generation receivers. In such a case the foci should be carefully monitored and a compromise value be chosen. Not doing so may result in broadened and distorted beams ([1]).



guelin@iram.fr