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The MeerKAT receivers are temperature stabilised, ensuring that the typical amplitude response remains stable to levels well below 2-3% over the span of a horizon to horizon observation. Under typical ionospheric conditions, the L-band system phase is stable to within 1% level over time-spans exceeding 1 hour (Figure 1). It is recommended to visit a phase calibrator every 30 minutes for a duration of 2 minutes. Two minutes is sufficient for any of the calibrators listed in the Observation Planning Tool (OPT).
Given MeerKAT’s large field of view and sensitivity, contributions from secondary sources in the calibrator field can be significant (see discussion above under Flux and bandpass calibration). Work is currently underway to develop models of our standard calibrator fields. Further information will be added to our pages on MeerKAT L-band and UHF calibrators when available. Note that fits images for L-band calibrators are available, UHF still to follow.
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