Upcoming Events

245th American Astronomical Society Meeting
Jan 12 - 16, 2025 | National Harbor, Maryland

ALMA Data Reduction Party: Polarization
March 3-6, 2025 | Charlottesville, Virginia

ngVLA Project News

Eric Murphy (NRAO)

ngVLA Science Conference in Mexico

The international conference on "Follow the Monarchs: A Journey to Explore the Cosmos at (Sub)milliarcsecond Scales with the ngVLA" was held November 11-14 in person in beautiful Morelia, Mexico. The program of 67 talks and 37 posters explored the novel scientific opportunities that will unfold with the unprecedented angular resolution and sensitivity capabilities offered by this new flagship facility. To broaden information sharing, talks will be posted soon. We applaud the participants, organizers and our Mexican hosts for making this conference so successful!

Graphic by Sophia Dagnello, US NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO.

Join Us at the AAS Winter Meeting!

The NSF NRAO and the ngVLA project are pleased to invite all AAS 245 attendees to these splinter sessions:

• The Next-Generation VLA: Update and Community Forum, AAS Session 183, Tuesday, January 14, 2:00 - 3:30 PM ET
• Exploring the Radio Sky with the DSA-2000 and the ngVLA, AAS Session 216, Wednesday, January 15, 9:30 - 11:00 AM ET
• Fundamental Physics and New Messengers, AAS Session 194 , Wednesday, January 15, 2:00 - 3:30 PM ET

The sessions' locations, speakers, and talk titles can be found here.

ngVLA Listening Sessions in New Mexico

The NSF NRAO continues outreach to the broader community, sharing the growing excitement of the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). NSF NRAO staff held two community listening sessions in New Mexico in October, to share information about the ngVLA and what it could bring to local residents of Socorro and Magdalena. NSF NRAO Director Tony Beasley and New Mexico Associate Director Trish Henning shared presentations and discussed with local community members their thoughts on this upcoming project and impact on New Mexico. Photo courtesy of Jill Malusky, US NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO.

ngVLA Science - Extended Atmospheres of AGB Stars

Behzad Bojnordi Arbab, Wouter Vlemmings, and Theo Khouri (Chalmers University)

Figure: Angular resolutions of ALMA, NSF VLA, SKA-mid, and ngVLA compared to the apparent diameters of the model AGB star. Adapted from Bojnordi Arbab et al. (2024).

With advances in interferometric instruments, imaging the surfaces of stars beyond our Sun has recently become possible. The most detailed images are achieved by observing the largest stars in the sky: Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars and supergiants. AGB stars are medium-mass stars near the end of their lives, with radii of astronomical units and substantial mass loss over a few million years. Their immense size makes them ideal for observing atmospheric features, and their mass loss shapes stellar evolution and enriches the interstellar medium with heavy elements, some essential for life.

Radio and mm/submm observations of AGB stars offer the opportunity to study their extended atmospheres without the obscuring effects of circumstellar dust. These observations probe different atmospheric depths depending on the observation frequency. Using the NSF VLA and ALMA, the disks of the closest AGB stars have been resolved, revealing variations in their sizes (Matthews et al. 2015, Vlemmings et al. 2015). Recent observations by Vlemmings et al. (2024) have further demonstrated ALMA's capability to study surface features, including atmospheric convective cells and shock propagation.

Recently, we used atmospheric models and radiative transfer to produce synthetic images of AGB star atmospheres across radio frequencies, studying how photospheric radius and brightness temperature vary with observation frequency and time. We also examined links between observables, such as variations in radius and brightness temperature, gas velocities, and spectral indices, providing insights for interpreting recent observations and planning future studies.

Our study highlighted the capabilities of the NSF VLA, ALMA, SKA, and ngVLA for both resolved and unresolved observations of the extended atmospheres of AGB stars (see figure). While ALMA can resolve the closest evolved stars in the solar neighborhood, the unparalleled resolving power and sensitivity of ngVLA represents a major advancement, offering nearly two orders of magnitude greater resolution for monitoring AGB atmospheres. Furthermore, the ngVLA will be capable of resolving AGB stars at galaxy-wide distances, enabling the study of these stars in unprecedented numbers, far beyond the reach of current instruments.

Since 2015 the acronym ngVLA has appeared in 1200+ publications indexed in the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System. This article continues a regular feature intended to showcase some of those publications. We are especially interested in showcasing work done by early-career researchers. The collection of showcase articles can be viewed online. Anyone wishing to volunteer to author a feature should contact Joan Wrobel.

Semester 2025A Proposal Review

Anthony Remijan (NRAO)

Photo by Bettymaya Foott, US NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO.

The NRAO has completed the Semester 2025A proposal review and time allocation process for the NSF Very Large Array (VLA) and the NSF Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA).

For the VLA the D and C-configurations will be available in the 25A semester and 224 new proposals were received by the 31 July 2024 submission deadline, including seven large and thirty-four time critical (triggered) proposals. The oversubscription rate (by proposal number) was 2.3 and the proposal pressure (hours requested over hours available) was 2.9, both of which are similar to recent semesters.

For the VLBA 63 new proposals were submitted. The oversubscription rate was 2.1 and the proposal pressure was 2.3, typical of past semesters.

Proposals submitted to the GBO were assessed through the same process. Forty-three proposals for the GBT were received for the 25A Semester. The oversubscription rate is 1.9 and the proposal pressure is 1.5, lower than past semesters due to less demand. For information on proposals for GBT observations see the GBO website.

There were thirty-three joint proposals submitted that requested time with our partner observatories: ALMA, JWST, HST, Swift, Chandra, XMM-Newton, and NICER.

The proposals were reviewed for scientific merit by ten Science Review Panels (SRPs) and for technical feasibility by NRAO staff. These reviews were completed in August - September 2024 and then considered by the Time Allocation Committee (TAC) during a face-to-face meeting on 14-15 October 2024. The TAC - comprising the 10 SRP chairs - was charged with recommending a science program for Semester 2025A to the Observatory Director. The recommended program was reviewed and approved on 29 October 2024.

A disposition letter was sent to the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigators of each proposal on 5 November 2024 and a TAC report containing information for proposers and observers, including statistics and telescope pressure plots, was released the same day. The approved science program for the VLA and the VLBA has been posted to the NRAO science website. The authors, title, abstract, and scheduled hours for each approved proposal can be accessed from the Proposal Finder Tool.

The NRAO welcomes community feedback on the proposal review and time allocation process. Please provide such feedback via the Proposal Review department of the NRAO Helpdesk.

ALMA Program News

Al Wootten (NRAO/NAASC)

Image Credit - Yerko Villalón, ALMA photo-ambassador, US NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/ALMA.

ALMA Observing Status

The array is currently in its most compact configuration, C-1, with 161m baselines nominally producing a 3.4" beam at 100GHz. The array will expand to C-2, with 314m baselines producing a 2.3" beam at the end of November, before continuing its expansion phase. As Spring continues into Summer at its high altitude austral site, atmospheric water vapor increases slowly, averaging about 1mm of precipitable water vapor in late November into December.

Announcement of Intent to Release a New Installment of Science Verification Data in Band 1: Orion KL

A new release of Science Verification data is planned late in November 2024. The data release this time for Band 1 will consist of the following target: Orion KL: Spectral scan in Band 1. Details of the target will be listed on the Science Verification web page. There will be a separate announcement once the data are released.

NAASC face to face visits

NAASC offers face-to-face (f2f) visits in both in-person and virtual formats for North American-supported investigators of ALMA programs or archival researchers. Please see this link for further information. Travel funds are available!

NAASC Workshop: ALMA Data Reduction Party on Polarization

The NAASC is pleased to announce an ALMA Data Reduction Party on Polarization that will take place March 3-6, 2025, at the North American ALMA Science Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. During this 3.5-day event, NAASC scientists and data analysts will provide focused information and individualized support to a cohort of North American PI or Archival ALMA users who want support to image ALMA polarization data. To facilitate data processing, attendees will be provided access to NRAO computing resources both during and after the workshop; the event is fully in-person, and travel support can be provided upon request.

Attendance is limited to 12 researchers based at institutions in North America. Applicants should have experience with general radio interferometric imaging, including the CASA task tclean, have their data in hand at the time of the application deadline, and be prepared to join an online preparation session prior to the event. If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out the application form by the deadline of December 13 at 17:00 ET. We will select eligible applicants based on the complexity of their projects and scientific goals. Applicants who do not get selected for this event may instead be invited for an individual face-to-face visit.

Announcement of NAASC-supported Workshops and Conferences FY25

Each year, the NAASC provides funding and general support to conferences and workshops in the North American scientific community. For Fiscal Year 2025, awards have been issued to the following events:

• The Co-Evolution of Galaxies, Dust, and PAHs (PI P. Torrey), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, November 2024
• Infrared Astrophysics Into The Next Decade (PI R. Paladini), Washington DC, May 2025
• Science with strong lensing, ALMA, and next generation radio interferometry (PI M. Yun), NRAO Charlottesville, VA May 2025
• Infrared Fine-Structure Lines Workshop (PI Ferkinhoff), Winona, MN, June 2025
• New Results Challenging Underlying Assumptions in Galaxy Evolution and Beyond (PI Long), Acadia, ME, June 2025
• Origin of Solar Systems (PI S. Andrews), Mount Holyoke, MA, June 2025
• GOALS Workshop (PI L. Barcos Munoz), NRAO Charlottesville, August 2025

We continue to accept applications to this program for events in FY25, for requests lower than $5000. Please see this page for details on eligibility and applications.

ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) News

The evolving status of the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade Project and the readiness of its different elements can now be tracked on the ALMA Observatory website. An early element of the WSU is the wideband receiver for ALMA Band 2. The Band 2 receiver project, led by ESO, has successfully concluded its pre-production phase. Full integration of Band 2 receivers is beginning. Recently, two more pre-production receivers were integrated into the array, bringing the total to five. North America provides financial support for East Asian Band 2 optics production. In addition, the new WSU spectrometer for the Total Power Array (Total Power GPU Spectrometer, TPGS) successfully passed its Conceptual Design Review / System Requirement Review on November 6-7.

ADASS 2024 Astronomy Computing Conference Recap

Brian R. Kent (NRAO)

NSF NRAO was a sponsor and participant in the Astronomy Data Analysis Software and Systems XXXIV (ADASS) conference in Valletta, Malta. Held on the University of Malta campus, the meeting covered a wide range of computing topics in astronomy, with over 300 participants both in person and remote around the world. Recordings of the talks are available. Thanks to Alessio Magro and his talented team of local organizers and students, and Kathleen Labrie leading the organizing committees for a well organized and productive conference.

Next year's meeting will be in Goerlitz, Germany.

NANOGrav collaboration, Astrochemistry, FRBs, and CASA recognized by IOP Publishing

A number of important papers in radio astronomy have been recognized with top citation awards for 2024.

The North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) collaboration has been recognized with its 15-year gravitational wave background paper, reporting on multiple lines of evidence for a stochastic signal that is correlated among 67 pulsars from their 15 year pulsar timing data set.

Brett McGuire's 2021 Census of Interstellar, Circumstellar, Extragalactic, Protoplanetary Disk, and Exoplanetary Molecules presented a summary of the first detection of each molecular species, including the observational facility, wavelength range, transitions, and enabling laboratory spectroscopic work, as well as listing tentative and disputed detections.

The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment Fast Radio Burst (CHIME/FRB) project reported its first catalog of 536 fast radio bursts observed between 400 and 800 MHz. The catalog represents the first large sample, including bursts from repeaters and nonrepeaters, observed in a single survey with uniform selection effects.

CASA, the Common Astronomy Software Applications for Radio Astronomy, described in their team paper the core functions of this critical radio astronomy software. Visit the CASA website for documentation and tutorials on radio astronomy data reduction.

Native Nations Engagement Lead

NRAO has announced the appointment of Danielle Rowland as the Native Nations Engagement Lead, a role she will assume alongside her current leadership of ODI student programs. In this critical leadership role, Danielle will guide our efforts to build and maintain meaningful, respectful partnerships with Native communities, particularly those neighboring the NSF Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (NSF VLA) and the upcoming Next Generation VLA (ngVLA), and across all Observatory settings.

In this role, Danielle will collaborate with NRAO departments to develop and implement outreach strategies to enhance relationships with Native communities, foster cultural sensitivity, and advocate for community-driven initiatives within NRAO. Danielle serves as a trusted advisor to leadership across the organization on matters of Native Nations engagement.

Danielle brings to this position a strong background in community engagement, a deep understanding of Native American cultures and contemporary issues, and a passion for astronomy and broadening participation in STEM fields.

Recent Science Media Releases

	ALMA Reveals Planets Can Form Under Harsh Radiation November 18, 2024
	U.S. NSF GBT records fastest Fast FRB - yet November 6, 2024
	Over 99.5% of residents in the National Radio Quiet Zone can now receive satellite internet service October 25, 2024
	More NRAO Media...
	Contact the NRAO press office to share your new and exciting science results.

From the Archives

Ellen Bouton

About this month's photo: In the early 2000s, the Virginia Piedmont Technology Council (VPTC) sponsored an annual Tech Tour for area high school students interested in technology-related careers. Local companies and technology centers like the NRAO CDL volunteered to host students for hour long discussions on various topics and careers - VPTC organized the visits and provided transportation for the students. This 2006 photo shows Rich Bradley (left) together with Chaitali Parashare and Rohit Gawande, UVA EE graduate students in Rich's group, introducing two Tech Tour students (right) to the world of laboratory microwave measurements. Thanks to Rich Bradley for caption information.

From the Archives is an ongoing series illustrating NRAO and U.S. radio astronomy history via images selected from our collections of individuals' and institutional papers. If readers have images they believe would be of interest to the Archives, please contact Ellen Bouton.