Source details can be automatically filled in by ``resolving'' a recognized source name. The OT uses the Sesame5.2 web service to first query SIMBAD5.3 and then, if no source with that name is found, NED5.4. It is not possible to select which server is queried although the OT will state which one gave the displayed result. The entered source name must correspond exactly to that contained within SIMBAD or NED or else no match will be found. The coordinate system of all sources will be set as ICRS.
Be careful with the proper motions of bright quasars. The Hipparcos mission measured non-zero values for many of these although, reassuringly, the associated uncertainties mean that the results are consistent with zero. Nonetheless, it is the measured, non-zero, values that will be entered into the OT. Parallax can also sometimes be negative, but again this is due to the measurement uncertainties. Where spurious, these properties should all be set to zero.
Although an extremely useful tool, resolving source information should be used with care and the returned details checked very carefully. For example, the origin of the coordinates will often be from an optical or infrared telescope and may not be appropriate for the science you want to do with ALMA. The SIMBAD or NED websites should be checked for this kind of information. The OT will present a table containing the source information that has been resolved, before this is entered into the Field Setup form, and warn if proper motions or a velocity have not been found. The name contained in this table will usually be different to that searched for, but this is nothing to worry about. The actual name that was entered by the user will not be changed.
If the OT is unable to resolve a source and the details of a source had previously been entered, it will bring up a dialogue asking whether the name should be reset to the previous source or whether the failed search term should be left for editing.
The user has the ultimate responsibility to ensure that the source details are correct!