From October 2 to October 8, 2016, within the framework of BALTICS project, two VIRAC employees participated in e-MERLIN interferometry data processing workshop “Workshop at UMAN 1” (hereinafter “workshop”) organized by project partner the University of Manchester.

VIRAC employees mostly acquired new knowledge while also strengthening their existing knowledge about interferometry data processing. The 5-day workshop had a carefully designed programme for each day (see Table 1). The workshop consisted of theoretical and practical courses with more emphasis being placed on practice. In addition to having these courses, employees were introduced to the University of Manchester and its scientific activities by participating in the university’s staff workshops. Also, VIRAC employees visited Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre complex, where they were introduced to telescopes of various sizes and the rest of the observatory.

Several scientists from the University of Manchester presented their knowledge about various topics and supervised all practical tasks. During the workshop, the University of Manchester assigned one responsible person Xavier Moldon. He was responsible for consistent acquisition of theoretical and practical courses so it would be easily understandable to VIRAC employees.

Short description of each topic.

1. An introduction to interferometry and e-MERLIN:

• participants were introduced to the weekly plan of the workshop;
• at the end of each topic, participants acquired new information about technical and general issues regarding interferometry, more specifically, radio interferometry while using e-MERLIN;
• later that day participants carried out several practical tasks, therefore, learning more about interferometry data processing, analyzing, and displaying;
• as a result, participants independently were able to perform simple operations within AIPS and CASA, astronomical image processing systems: read interferometry raw data, view instrumental information and the parameters characterizing the observation, display channel data, mark invalid data for processing by using data phases and amplitude information.

2. Calibration of e-MERLIN data:

• presentations on guiding principles of calibration and e-MERLIN data calibration by phase and amplitude;
• VIRAC employees had an opportunity to master the basic principles of calibration and software AIPS;
• workshop participants learned to calibrate raw data by phase and amplitude (calibration data), display calibration curves, filter calibration curves, mark data for additional marking by calibration curves.

3. Imaging:

• practically mastered basic principles of imaging, deconvolution, and self-calibration;
• mastered spectral data imaging theory and principles, spectral imaging after-treatment, and image interpretation.

4.Visiting Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre:

• VIRAC employees visited Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre complex, its telescopes, operations control centre, and engineering and technical supply;
• participants positively appreciated the tourism and science centre within the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre; visitors are provided with information of the origin and evolution of the universe, astronomy, and radio astronomy.

VIRAC employees highly appreciated representatives of the University of Manchester and especially their supervisor Xavier Moldon professionalism and engagement during the traineeship. VIRAC employees, therefore, were able to receive thorough answers to all of the questions and comprehend interferometry data processing principles of e-MERLIN; all executable operations were accurately explained that allowed all participants to comprehend data processing principles in detail and in-depth.

VIRAC employees also managed to engage in several discussions with representatives of the University of Manchester about the next activities of several projects, for example, VIRAC staff exchange with the University of Manchester.

Summary of the workshop outcomes:

• VIRAC employees during this workshop learned a lot about interferometry data processing of e-MERLIN and several related topics;
• gained information significantly helped to better understand the information provided during the previous workshop in the Netherlands, general radio astronomy raw data processing scheme, the objectives of practical work, and tasks executed;
• the knowledge acquired will be useful for the planned VIRAC staff exchange at the Netherlands radio astronomy institute ASTRON from October 17 to November 11, 2016, since VIRAC employees would have to process the data of LOFAR telescope in a similar manner as e-MERLIN interferometry data processing;
• participants with the help of their supervisor are able to process e-MERLIN data by being able to participate in radio astronomical observation projects carried out by e-MERLIN.

It may be recommended for computing cluster to provide resources for storing and processing astronomical data, both for training purposes and for projects.