Simons Observatory: Observatory Scheduler and Automated Data Processing

TL;DR

This paper presents the software system and automated workflows for the Simons Observatory, enabling optimized observation scheduling and scalable data processing to support its goal of precise cosmic microwave background mapping.

Contribution

It introduces a software system that translates high-level strategies into executable scripts and an automated data workflow for the observatory.

Findings

Effective translation of scan strategies into telescope commands

Scalable infrastructure supports daily data processing

Automated workflows streamline data management

Abstract

The Simons Observatory (SO) is a next-generation ground-based telescope located in the Atacama Desert in Chile, designed to map the cosmic microwave background (CMB) with unprecedented precision. The observatory consists of three small aperture telescopes (SATs) and one large aperture telescope (LAT), each optimized for distinct but complementary scientific goals. To achieve these goals, optimized scan strategies have been defined for both the SATs and LAT. This paper describes a software system deployed in SO that effectively translates high-level scan strategies into realistic observing scripts executable by the telescope, taking into account realistic observational constraints. The data volume of SO also necessitates a scalable software infrastructure to support its daily data processing needs. This paper also outlines an automated workflow system for managing data packaging and daily data reduction at the site.