Astronomy Hours

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VLA telescope time by category. Scheduled is the time planned for science observations. Observing is the time actually spent on science observing. Downtime is the amount of antenna time lost due to unforeseen circumstances, including weather, equipment failures, and software failures. Maintenance is time spent on maintenance activities. Test is time spent on testing and calibration. Unscheduled is the time not scheduled for observing or any other activities. Shutdown is the time spent in planned shutdown. VLASS is the time spent observing for the VLA Sky Survey.

ALMA telescope time by category. Observing is the time actually spent on science observing. All other telescope time is categorized as “Other”. Work is underway to extract from the ALMA archive telescope time information using categories similar to those shown in Figure 2.4.1.1.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.