The idea behind this project was to model the beam forming process of the Molongolo Observatory Synthesis Telescope, using a code originally supplied by Prof. Lawrence Cram. It was necessary to modify parts of the code as we progressed through the project work. We used the code to predict what would happen when certain bays in the telescope were switched off, looking at the different beam shapes that arose. We also used it to examine the beam steering process and the telescope's response to an extended source. My report on this project was jointly written with Michelle Doherty, as we had worked together on all aspects of the project. The report can be found here.

The actual work on the project was fairly well split between us, with little input from the other group members, even though we repeatedly tried to organise group meetings to discuss the project and divide the work.

In the final report we each wrote different sections and then compiled it into one document. I did most of the work to modify and comment the code and wrote the report sections on beam shaping and beam steering. I also produced the plots that go with those sections and did a lot of work formatting the document to be placed on the web. Michelle wrote the introduction section "A Brief Overview of the Operation of MOST" and most of the section on the beam response to an extended source, as well as producing the plots to go with these sections.

We both carried out research on various aspects of MOST to try and gain an understanding of the way it works, but the majority of the theoretical work was carried out by Michelle. We have tried to explain these concepts in the report. When compiling the report, we both worked on rewriting different sections and editing it, so it is difficult to define exactly what we each did other than this genearl outline.

The Appendix shows the major modification to the code in red (not including the comments that were added). The additions were designed jointly by Michelle and I, in consultation with lawrence, and implemented by me.