Education and Public Outreach

All-Sky Visualization

There are a couple of interactive webpages that help visualize the sky at the frequencies that LWA1 observes at. These pages can be found at:

• ​The Low Frequency Sky
• ​The Multi-Wavelength Sky

Additional information about the data and visualization process can be found on this page.

LWATV GUI

Description

This Python script generates a GUI showing the latest LWATV image and runs on Linux, OS X, and the Raspberry Pi. The GUI consists of four parts:

1. The latest LWATV image (or where the beams are pointed if LASI isn't running),
2. a picture of the LWA1 site with the VLA in the background,
3. an optional pre-recorded LWATV movie for previous days, and
4. a text description describing what sources are in the images and movies.

Dependencies:

• Python >= 2.6 and < 3.0
• GStreamer 1.0
• GStreamer "good" plugins set
• GStreamer libav plugin
• wxPython 2.8
• PIL
• gi.repository.GObject
• gi.respository.GST/gi.repository.GstVideo

Obtaining

You can obtain this script and the supporting files via:

svn checkout https://fornax.phys.unm.edu/lwa/subversion/trunk/EPO/LWATV LWATV

After checking out the software you can run it via:

cd LWATV
./updateMovies.py
./lwaTV3.py

The software also supports viewing images from the second LWA site, LWA-SV, located on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge via the -2/--lwatv2 flag. This causes the software to show images from LWA-SV as well as a picture of the LWA-SV site. This flag is also available for the updateMovies.py script. To run the software for LWA-SV:

cd LWATV
./updateMovies.py --lwatv2
./lwaTV3.py --lwatv2

LWATV GUI - Raspberry Pi Version

Description

The LWATV GUI can also be run on a ​Raspberry Pi. Running the software on a Raspberry Pi, or Pi for short, provides a low cost, low power, and easy-to-use way of displaying the GUI.

Hardware Setup

The hardware setup for this type of install is minimal and can be purchased for around $100. The parts required are:

• Raspberry Pi, Model B - ​here is one for $40
• Case
  • Pibow - ​here is one for $20
  • Aluminum - ​here is one for $50
• 5V, 1A USB power supply - ​here is one for $6
• 4GB SD card - ​here is one for $8
• microUSB cable - ​here is one for $4
• Display Adapter
  • Composite video - included on the Pi
  • HDMI - included on the Pi
  • VGA - ​here is an HDMI to VGA adapter for $19
  • DVI-D - ​here is an HDMI to DVI-D cable for $10
• Monitor
• Ethernet cable or WiFi Module
  • Ethernet cable
  • WiFi B/G/N adapter - ​here is one for $12

If you are worried about radio frequency interference go with the aluminum case.

Software Setup

The software is also easy to install and based on the ​Rasbian distribution. You can download a pre-configured image from here and copy it to the SD card by ​following these instructions. After the image has been copied you can insert the card into the SD card slot on the Pi and boot it up.

The Pi will be configured to automatically start the LWATV GUI software on boot and will update the cache of previous movies nightly. The bandwidth usage for the software averages around 110MB per hour.

If you are interested in building your own disk image the Pi-optimized LWATV GUI software can be checked out via:

svn checkout https://fornax.phys.unm.edu/lwa/subversion/trunk/EPO/LWATV/RaspberryPi LWATV

Additional Configuration

The software is setup for DHCP over a wired 10/100Mbit ethernet connection and VGA output. If your setup is the same then no additional configuration is needed. However, it is a good idea to update both the software and the movies before use. This can be done by logging into the Pi and running the following from a terminal:

cd ~/LWATV/
svn update
./updateMovies.py -v
sudo rpi-update
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

After running these commands you should reboot the Pi.

To change the video output resolution ​see this page. If you are using a Adafruit HDMI/VGA adapter you may also need to set "hdmi_drive=2" to get the display working. For help configuring a WiFi connection ​see this page.

LWATV GUI - BeagleBone Black Version

Description

The LWATV GUI can also be run on a ​BeagleBone Black. Like the Raspberry Pi, the BeagleBone Black or BBB provides a low cost, low power, and easy-to-use way of displaying the GUI.

Hardware Setup

The hardware setup for this type of install is minimal and can be purchased for around $120. The parts required are:

• BeagleBone Black - ​here is one for $55
• Case
  • Aluminum - ​here is one for $50
• 5V, 2A power supply - ​here is one for $8
• 4GB SD card - ​here is one for $8
• Display Adapter
  • microHDMI - included on the BBB
  • VGA - ​here is an ''active'' HDMI to VGA adapter for $17
  • for other options, see ​http://elinux.org/Beagleboard:BeagleBone_Black_Accessories
• Monitor
• Ethernet cable

Software Setup

The software is also easy to install and based on the ​Angstrom Linux distribution. You can download a pre-configured image from here and copy it to the SD card by ​following these instructions. After the image has been copied you can insert the card into the microSD card slot on the BBB and boot it up.

The BBB will be configured to automatically start the LWATV GUI software on boot and will update the cache of previous movies nightly. The bandwidth usage for the software averages around 110MB per hour.

If you are interested in building your own disk image the BBB-optimized LWATV GUI software can be checked out via:

svn checkout https://fornax.phys.unm.edu/lwa/subversion/trunk/EPO/LWATV

Additional Configuration

The software is setup for DHCP over a wired 10/100Mbit ethernet connection and VGA output. If your setup is the same then no additional configuration is needed. However, it is a good idea to update both the software and the movies before use. This can be done by logging into the BBB and running the following from a terminal:

su debian
cd ~/LWATV/
svn update
./updateMovies.py -v
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

After running these commands you should reboot the BBB.

LWA1 Status Script

Description

This Python script uses a ​BlinkStick to provide a visual indicator of what LWA1 is doing. It runs on Linux and OS X, and displays the:

• Overall station status
• Data recorder operations
• Whether or not LASI is running/updating LWATV

Dependencies:

• Python >= 2.6 and < 3.0
• curses
• blinkstick

Obtaining

You can obtain this script and the supporting files via:

svn checkout https://fornax.phys.unm.edu/lwa/subversion/trunk/EPO/LWA1Status LWA1Status

After checking out the software you can run it via:

cd LWA1Status
./lwa1Status.py

LWA-SV Status Script

Description

This Python script uses a ​BlinkStick to provide a visual indicator of what LWA-SV is doing. It runs on Linux and OS X, and displays the:

• Overall station status
• Data recorder operations
• Whether or not LASI-SV is running/updating LWATV 2

Dependencies:

• Python >= 2.6 and < 3.0
• curses
• blinkstick

Obtaining

You can obtain this script and the supporting files via:

svn checkout https://fornax.phys.unm.edu/lwa/subversion/trunk/EPO/LWASVStatus LWASVStatus

After checking out the software you can run it via:

cd LWASVStatus
./lwasvStatus.py

Additional Information

For additional information about any of the software described on this page please e-mail: