Integration Time Calculator

Integration Time Calculator Table

Integration Time Calculator Table

Timecalc.xlsx user instructions.

To run the excel spreadsheet timecalc.xlsx either: 1) Download and run it on your local machine using whatever system you have available, or 2) open it in Google Sheets, go to File > Save as Google Sheets to make your own (writeable) copy and then use that one.

To calculate the time required to achieve a given SNR in nod mode, parameters are put into the white boxes in one of the columns of the Object parameters section of the Sample page of timecalc. The first 9 columns have been filled in with sample numbers. They can be overwritten or turned off by changing the on-source times to 0. When the white boxes are filled in, timecalc will calculate the values in the shaded boxes. The SNR box is most relevant. Generally the user will change the on-source time to get the desired SNR. If ‘new setup?’ or ‘new acquisition?’ are set to 1 overhead time will be added to the total time.

To calculate the time required for a scan-mode observation fill in the scan parameters white boxes. The on-source time and scan motion factor will be calculated, to be entered into the boxes above to calculate the SNR in the scan after binning by ‘points binned’.

Total times for the project are given in the shaded boxes at the left (assuming the on-source time, new acquisition, and new setup boxes in unused Object parameter columns are set to 0).

If fluxes are known in units other than Jy they can be converted to Jy by using the Unit Conversion page of timecalc, by filling in the white boxes of the section of the table for the conversion desired.