CASA Beta Release Patch 2.2
NEW:
We have released Beta Patch 2.2 for Linux (CASA Version 2.0 Rev
5655, 26 Aug 2008) and 2.1 for the Mac (CASA Version 2.0 Rev
5654, 28 July 2008).
Note that the
Linux
version was updated on 26 Aug 2008 to fix a
problem with the plotxy/plotcal display panel under 64-bit
OS, while the
MacOSX release was "patched" on 28 July 2008 to fix a
problem with the viewer. Download and reinstall if you have
older versions and run into these problems.
Note that the original Beta Patch 2.0 (CASA Version 2.0 Rev 5653)
was released on 7 July 2008. If you are running that version then you
should update to the new one, as it fixes some
minor issues.
About the CASA Beta Release
In October 2007, we began a staged Beta Release of the
Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA) data reduction package.
This software is under development in support of the ALMA and EVLA
projects, but is intended to also be of general use for radio astronomy
data post-processing. This staged release will allow personnel
involved in the construction, operations, and advisory committees for
ALMA and EVLA to adopt early use of the package for commissioning,
development of user support capabilities, and to provide feedback to
the CASA team.
Through mid 2008, access to the Beta and support for CASA users
was restricted to ALMA and EVLA project personnel and key scientific
advisory committee members, due to limited user support
personnel. During this period the CASA team has concentrated on
completing the suite of basic functionality and pursuing advanced
algorithm development needed for ALMA and EVLA. In mid 2008, we are
expanding the availability of the Beta Release to others in the
community as our user support capabilities ramp up.
It is anticipated that CASA will remain in Beta Release until at
least mid 2009. During the beta release period, we will provide
"patches" to the release at least twice a year in order to fold in
ongoing developments. Patches may also be made as needed to fix any
egregious bugs. The first such "Beta Patch 1.0" was made available in
early April. The current version ("Beta Patch 2.0") will be made available on
July 7, 2008 (this patch was used for CASA tutorials at the June 2008 NRAO
Synthesis Summer school). We anticipate that the next update ("Beta Patch
3.0") will be available on or after October 15, 2008.
Obtaining the CASA Beta Release
As of Patch 2, we are in "Phase II" of the Beta Release. This
means that in addition to NRAO staff, ALMA and EVLA computing,
science, and operations personnel, and advisory and user committee
members, the general astronomical community will be granted access to
the download and to some user support (with registration) for this
release. But this is still very much a Beta, and potential users must
be patient!!!
CASA is now available to all users from
For the portal, registration is required (if you have recently
submitted a NRAO proposal you are already registered). User support
is available there also from the CASA helpdesk tab. All questions,
bugs, comments, enhancement requests should be submitted through the
CASA helpdesk.
If you do not wish to register or go through this portal, you can
obtain the distribution directly from the Wiki pages:
Warning: If you are an external (to ALMA, EVLA, and NRAO) user and do not
register with the portal at my.nrao.edu, then you will have no
recourse for user support through the helpdesk.
Note that the Beta Release is only available for a limited number
of supported platforms, see the
Beta Release Notes
National Radio
