Using ALMA archival data - A Primer

ALMA has released a new document for Cycle 9 called Using ALMA archival data - A Primer. This document provides basic introductory information of how to use the ALMA data available through the ALMA Science Archive (ASA), including how to query, extract and scientifically exploit the content of the ASA. The aim is to assist readers with the exploitation of archived ALMA data by providing a concise summary of the data and practical examples that include CASA tasks.

The document starts with a description of querying the ASA and a description of selecting and downloading data. This is followed by examples of how to inspect and evaluate the quality of the data and images in the archive, how to recreate the calibrated visibilities and how to re-image the calibrated data (which includes a chapter summarizing data combination). Two additional chapters describe how to use calibrators as science targets and how to use the ALMA Calibrator Source Catalogue. The document then concludes with a description of useful CASA packages, a list of frequently encountered issues and additional information on obtaining assistance with archive mining and science exploitation.

This new document is accessible from the Cycle 9 Documents page and the Archive Documentation page. While this primer is intended for archival researchers, principal investigators (PIs) of ALMA data may also find it useful.