Users who wish to simulate the uv coverage of the MeerKAT interferometer for given source coordinates and observation duration can use the MeerKAT uv coverage simulator.

Should you wish to test snapshot imaging strategies, detailed observation simulations can be done following the instructions given here.

Caveats

A continuous track is simulated
Currently it is not possible to stipulate a time-range for the simulation
The track is symmetrical about zenith transit

Examples

An example track of 8 hours duration at a declination of -10°.

Targets towards northern declinations are above the telescope’s minimum elevation of 15° for shorter durations. The calculator will tell you how long the target will be above the set horizon limit. This can be set to higher elevation ranges but please note that observations will be scheduled at elevation/LST ranges that maximise telescope scheduling efficiency.