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

Cosmic Horizons: AI-Powered Insights
May 6-8, 2025 | Austin, Texas

North America-Taiwan joint ALMA Science Workshop
June 16-20, 2025 | Taipei, Taiwan

Where Does the Science Community Get Social?

Where does the science community use social media? How do you communicate with colleagues and astronomical facilities? How do you learn about new opportunities and science results? NSF NRAO and NSF GBO would like to know - please take this short survey:

Where does the science community get social?

NSF NRAO/GBO at the 245th Winter AAS at National Harbor

The NSF NRAO and NSF GBO will be at the 245th meeting of the American Astronomical Society, January 12-16, 2025, at National Harbor, Maryland, to showcase the latest in science and radio astronomy development for ngVLA, VLA, VLBA, ALMA, GBT, CDL, Education, and Spectrum Management.

We invite our students, users, and new attendees to attend outstanding science sessions, the NSF NRAO/GBO Exhibition, and the annual Town Hall event Monday evening, January 13th.

Visit the schedule page to plan your week with the NRAO/GBO at #AAS245.

Preannouncement: 2025B NRAO/GBO Call for Proposals

Anthony Remijan (NRAO)

Photo credits: (Jay Young/Bettymaya Foott/Jeff Hellerman, U.S. NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/NSF GBO)

A Call for Proposals (CfPs) with detailed information for Semester 25B will be issued on 3 January 2025 with a deadline for proposal submission on:

Wednesday, 29 January 2025, at 17:00 EST (22:00 UTC)

The CfPs is for the NSF Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (NSF VLA), the NSF Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (NSF GBT), and the NSF Very Long Baseline Array (NSF VLBA), High Sensitivity Array (HSA), and Global mm VLBI Array (GMVA). The purpose of this pre-announcement is to highlight aspects of the CfPs to assist with early planning.

General Information

Semester 2025B on the NSF VLA will start around 10 September 2025 and on 01 August 2025 for the GBT and VLBA. For the VLA, the B-configuration will be available. It is anticipated there will be around 1600 hours on the VLA, 2600 hours on the GBT, and 590 hours on the VLBA available for science observing. Opportunities for Joint proposals will be available for ALMA, JWST, HST, Swift, Chandra, XMM-Newton, NICER, and IXPE. Joint Proposals with ALMA or JWST need to be submitted to the facility requesting the larger amount of observing time.

The array configurations available for joint ALMA/VLA will be: ALMA C-1 to C-10 and VLA B-configuration. Large Proposals and Proposals that may be considered "high-risk high-reward" are strongly encouraged. Proposers are encouraged to submit low-frequency proposals especially in undersubscribed LST ranges. See the relevant observation planning documentation.

New in Semester 25B

The NSF NRAO and NSF GBO Users' Policies have been updated ahead of the 25B Call for Proposals and include the following:

• Joint IXPE/NRAO Proposals (Section 3.2.3): There is a new reciprocal and cooperative agreement between the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) and the NRAO in which observing time is made available for coordinated observations on a competitive basis. The IXPE GO Program permits the NRAO to award up to 300 ksec of IXPE observing time per year. In return, up to 5% of the NRAO scientific observing time will be made available on NRAO's VLA, GBT, and VLBA or up to 200-300 hours per year on each telescope. See Joint Proposals for details.
• Student Proprietary Period (Section 5.5.4): Beginning with the 2025B semester the proprietary period will be increased from one to two years for thesis proposals; that is, proposals that include graduate students that have checked the thesis textbox and included a Dissertation plan.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): (Section 3.3.2). Proposers should not use AI services to generate proposal content; AI services may be used to improve the readability of the proposal's text. In such cases, proposers shall declare that AI services were used during the proposal preparation in their Science Justification. Proposers are responsible for the content of their proposals and must properly reference materials to prevent plagiarism. Proposals are required to be original and free of plagiarized material. (Section 4.4). Reviewers shall not upload proposals to AI services, as this violates the Observatory's confidentiality policy (Section 5.5.3) and should not use AI to evaluate the strengths or weaknesses of a proposal.

VLBA Real-time Correlation

Beginning in the 25B semester real-time correlation will be offered as shared risk observing. See the VLBA Observational Status Summary under Shared Risk Observing for more details.

VLA On-the-fly (OTF) mapping

Beginning in the 25B semester VLA OTF mapping using interpolation in Galactic coordinates will be offered as shared risk observing. See the VLA Observational Status Summary under Shared Risk Observing for more details.

Reminders:

• Joint Proposals with ALMA or JWST need to be submitted to the facility requesting the larger amount of observing time. See Joint Proposals for details.
• The Dissertation Plan requirements (Section 7.2) were revised to specify that the plan must be written by the student. The LaTex and Word templates are available online.
• The NRAO offers an optional LaTex template for proposals. Proposers are strongly encouraged to use this template for all proposal types - Regular, Large and DDTs and to follow the appropriate guidelines for font size, page margins and references.
See the NRAO and GBO Users' Policies page for more details.

GBT Observer Training Workshop

David Frayer (NRAO/GBO)

The next GBT Observer Training Workshop will be held in person at the Green Bank Observatory 18-20 March 2025. The workshop is designed to train GBT observers. Participants will learn the specifics of observing with the GBT and the basics of GBT data reduction. Registration is now open and applications will be accepted until January 31, 2025. Photo: Jay Young, U.S. NSF/AUI/NSF GBO.

Please visit the workshop website to learn more and fill out the application.

ngVLA Project News

Eric Murphy (NRAO)

Graphic by Sophia Dagnello, U.S. 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. To broaden information sharing, each talk title will eventually be linked to its presentation material.

ngVLA Science - The Radio Fundamental Catalog

Leonid Petrov (NASA GSFC) & Yuri Kovalev (MPIfR)

Figure: Distribution of sources in the Radio Fundamental Catalog over the celestial sphere. Credit: Petrov & Kovalev 2024.

The largest all-sky catalog of compact radio sources detected with Very Long Baseline Interferometry has been released (Petrov and Kovalev 2024). All but 24 of the catalog's 21,942 sources are active galactic nuclei (AGN). The catalog provides source positions with a milliarcsecond level of accuracy (see figure) and median correlated flux densities at 2, 5, 8, 15, and 24 GHz at three ranges of projected baseline lengths. This Radio Fundamental Catalog (RFC) stems from a reanalysis of 72 observing programs spanning 1994-2024, totaling 17,000 hours of time dedicated to astrometry and 194,000 hours dedicated to geodesy. The RFC is accompanied by a collection of 120,000+ radio images and calibrated visibilities.

The RFC helps form the foundation and reference for space geodesy, space navigation, differential astrometry, studies of AGN jets and cores, and analysis of the radio loud AGN population. It also provides a rich pool of phase calibrators, with a sky density sufficient to find at least one calibrator within a search radius of 2 degrees anywhere at declinations north of -40 degrees.

Certain refinements of the RFC are expected in the coming decade. However, major efforts that could substantially increase the sky density and improve the position accuracy will likely need to await new instrumentation. The capabilities of the ngVLA, in particular, have the potential to provide a transformative change in the field of positional astronomy.

Since 2015 the acronym ngVLA has appeared in 1220+ 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.

GBT surveys of the 21-cm sky using ALPACA

Karen O'Neil

Photo by Jay Young, U.S. NSF/AUI/NSF GBO.

ALPACA, the Advanced L-band Phased Array Camera for Astronomy, is a phased-array receiver capable of providing high sensitivity observations simultaneously for 40 beams on the GBT in the 1-2 GHz band. ALPACA is one of the most advanced phased array feeds for wide-field imaging developed to date. It is the first such instrument to include a large number of array elements within a cryogenic dewar so that both the front end electronics and antenna elements are cooled. Installed as a receiver on the Green Bank Telescope, ALPACA will enable unprecedented survey capability for pulsar and radio burst detection, through probing the diffuse intergalactic gas leftover from the cosmic dawn, and mapping radio recombination lines, solar radio bursts, and the magnetic fields of the diffuse interstellar medium.

With the intention of maximizing the science return from this instrument, and advertising it to a diverse group of astronomers as possible, GBO invites members of the scientific community for a four-day workshop on April 25-28, 2025. In addition to outlining key science projects for ALPACA, it is intended that the workshop will allow potential users to learn about the instrument, form collaborations, and aid in the planning and commissioning of the instrument.

Further information and early registration for the meeting is available online.

Cosmic Horizons Conference May 6-8 at UT Austin

Registration is open for the Cosmic Horizons Conference, May 6 - 8, 2025 at the University of Texas, Austin. Abstract submissions for contributed talks will be accepted through January 26.

Rationale and focus: The recent revolution in AI is fundamentally changing how astronomers observe, explore, analyze and model astronomical data. The Cosmic Horizons conference aims to bring together researchers who are actively engaged in developing and applying AI/ML methods in the astronomy domain. The conference will focus on

• Recent advances at the intersection of AI and Astronomy and AI-powered progress towards understanding our cosmic origins, from cosmology to habitability.
• Methodologies to increase trustworthiness, robustness, interpretability and efficiency of AI applications in astronomy.
• Preparation for the big-data challenges posed by next-generation observing facilities and approaches for searching, modeling, and analyzing high-dimensional data.

Register and learn more at the conference website.

U.S. NSF Portfolio Prioritization Process (P3)

Tony Beasley (NRAO)

The U.S. National Science Foundation has issued a portfolio prioritization charge to the FFRDCs for Radio Astronomy (NSF NRAO), Nighttime Optical-Infrared Astronomy (NSF NOIRLab), and Solar Astronomy (NSF NSO).

The aim of the Portfolio Prioritization Process (P3) is to characterize the portfolio of services and facilities within each of NSF's three astronomy Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), to prioritize these facilities, and to aid NSF with its future planning, partnership development, and strategic investment. The first phase of the process is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for each FFRDC over the next 20 years. While this planning phase is to be led by the FFRDC, the community must be part of the process and NSF must be periodically updated. In phase 2, plans will be reviewed by an external panel, and will feed into NSF long-term strategic portfolio development.

Timeline

• P3 development - Sep-Oct, 2024
• Launch of P3 - Phase 1 Nov 12, 2024
• Submission of Plans to NSF - May 1, 2026 (approx. 18 months later)
• Panel Review - Phase 2 July 1, 2026

Read the full charge (PDF) to the FFRDCs. NSF NRAO and AUI look forward to working with the community to develop key information for this important initiative.

ALMA Program News

Al Wootten (NRAO/NAASC)

ALMA and JWST reveal twin disks and jets erupting from a pair of binary stars in WL20. Credit: U.S. NSF/ NSF NRAO/B. Saxton.; NASA/JPL-Caltech/Harvard-Smithsonian CfA.

ALMA Observing Status

The array is currently in its most compact configuration, C-3, with 500m maximum baselines nominally producing a 1.4" beam at 100GHz. The array will expand to C-4, with 780m baselines producing a 0.9" beam in mid-January, remaining there until the February engineering period. As Spring continues into Summer at ALMA’s high altitude austral site, atmospheric water vapor increases slowly, averaging about 2-6mm of precipitable water vapor in late December into January.

Science Verification Data for Orion KL in Band 1 is Available! 4 December 2024

The Science Verification data for Orion KL observed from 2024 April 26 to April 28 are now available on the Science Portal. The data were obtained in the spectral scan mode in Band 1, with the total on-source time of about 129 minutes. More detailed information on the data release can be found here.

Infrared Fine-Structure Lines Workshop

Abstract submission is now open for this small workshop (~50 participants) on the topic of Infrared fine-structure emission-lines - which will take place at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, USA, on June 10 - 13, 2025. For more information please see the workshop announcement webpage. NAASC travel support is available for early career scientists (i.e. students and postdocs).

American Astronomical Society Meeting (AAS 245 at National Harbor)

ALMA will be well-represented at the AAS 245 meeting on January 11-16 at National Harbor, MD. The NAASC will host a special session New perspectives on protoplanetary disks in the era of JWST and the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade with 4 invited talks by M. Van't Hoff (Purdue University), C. Espaillat (Boston University), K. Pontoppidan (JPL), K. Zhang (Wisconsin) and a short general presentation of the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU). Please come visit the NRAO booth to meet NAASC staff; we will also have informal booth sessions every day at 1:30 - 2:00 pm to present the ALMA-WSU project and discuss its impact on your scientific research.

Third North America-Taiwan Joint ALMA Science Workshop

The third North America-Taiwan Joint ALMA Science Workshop will occur June 16-20, 2025 at ASIAA.

The abstract submission and registration are open now. This event will be an opportunity to present new ALMA scientific results in all scientific topics, with specific highlights on Band 1 and Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU) science opportunities. NAASC travel support is available for early career scientists (i.e. students and postdocs).

ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU)

The WSU accomplished two milestones over the past month. At its recent meeting, the ALMA Board approved a key component of the WSU: the construction of the new correlator room at the Operations Support Facility now proceeds. The NSF approval process is now under way.

Second, the Wideband IF Processor (WIFP) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) was held in Bordeaux (France) on November 25-26. The review was conditionally passed. This project is a keystone within the WSU signal chain enabling the digitization of analog receiver signals across the new broad IF bandwidth (up to four times the current IF bandwidth), sending the signals to the new correlator, currently under construction.

2025 Kavli Summer Program in Astrophysics

The 2025 Kavli Summer Program in Astrophysics will be held at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, from June 23rd to August 1st next summer on the topic of "Cool Frontiers: Exploring Dust and Ice in the Cosmos". The program is directed by Prof. Shazrene Mohamed, and the program lecturers are Susanne Höfner, Brandon Hensley, and Andrew Youdin.

The program will consist of a first week of pedagogical lectures and state-of-the-art seminars, and the next 5 weeks are dedicated to collaborative and multidisciplinary research, with graduate students working on projects proposed by the long-term participants of the program.

This program is an outstanding venue for students to learn about a field in depth, and have the opportunity to work with leading faculty in the field. The students are chosen among the best applicants from all over the world. This is also an incredible opportunity for faculty and postdocs to meet the best of the next generation, and have the chance to mentor them. Many research projects lead to a publication.

For more information about the program, including details about its format, testimonies from past participants, and application forms, visit the program website.

Recent Science Media Releases

	BHEX Hopes to Reveal New Details of Supermassive Black Holes December 12, 2024
	Astronomers Discover Magnetic Loops Around Supermassive Black Hole December 11, 2024
	More NRAO Media...
	Contact the NRAO press office to share your new and exciting science results.

In Memoriam: Bob Dickman

The NRAO remembers and celebrates the life and career of Bob Dickman, who passed away on December 16, 2024.

Robert L. Dickman received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Columbia University, earning his PhD in physics in 1976. Following a post-doctoral appointment at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and two years at The Aerospace Corporation, he spent 11 years at University of Massachusetts/Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, where he was a Research Associate Professor and Manager of FCRAO. From 1991 through 2007, he held key positions in the National Science Foundation's Astronomy Division, including Coordinator of the Radio Astronomy Facilities Unit and ALMA Staff Associate. He served on the ALMA Board for five years and was its Chair for 2005-2006. In 2009-2010 he chaired the International and Public-Private Partnership Study Group for the Astro-2010 Decadal Survey.

Bob joined NRAO as Assistant Director for New Mexico Operations in September 2007, and in March 2011 was appointed Head of the NRAO New Initiatives Office. From February 2014-September 2016 he was Director of NRAO's Central Development Laboratory, with a concurrent appointment as NRAO Scientist. In March 2019 he retired as an NRAO Emeritus Scientist.

Bob Dickman was a member of the American Astronomical Society, the American Physical Society, and the International Astronomical Union.

His papers can be found in the NRAO Archives.

In Memoriam: Dick Thompson

Dick Thompson, who passed away on December 7, 2024 will be remembered by his many friends and colleagues at NRAO and around the world. Dick was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, in 1931 and received his BSc degree with honors in physics from the University of Manchester in 1952. Working with R. Hanbury Brown and Henry Palmer at Jodrell Bank, Dick received his PhD, also from the University of Manchester, in 1956 for his pioneering development of long-baseline-radio-linked interferometry.

From 1956 to 1957 Thompson worked with E.M.I. Electronics Ltd., Feltham, Middlesex, on missile guidance and telemetry problems. He then joined the staff of Harvard University where he worked in solar radio astronomy at Fort Davis, Texas. He was at Stanford University from 1962-1972, where he was involved in design and construction of the five-element synthesis array, and from 1966-1972 held a concurrent visiting appointment at Owens Valley Radio Observatory.

Thompson joined NRAO in 1971 as the VLA Project Engineer, and later served as Assistant-Head and then Head of the VLA Electronics Division, and later as Deputy Project Manager for the VLA Construction. In August 1984 he moved from Socorro to Charlottesville to work on the VLBA Project, first as Head of the VLBA Electronics Division, then as Systems Engineer; he later was Deputy Manager of the VLBA Project and finally, until his retirement in July 1999, he served as Deputy Head of the Central Electronics Laboratory. In November 2001 he was awarded the title of Emeritus Scientist.

Throughout most of his time at NRAO, Dick was active in frequency coordination for radio astronomy through the ITU, CORF and IUCAF. He was a member of the USNC-URSI, the AAS, the IAU, and the URSI Large Telescope Working Group that formed the beginning of the SKA planning. With Jim Moran and George Swenson, Dick authored the widely acclaimed open access book, Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy (Wiley, Kreiger, and Springer) often referred to as the "Bible" of radio interferometry.

His papers can be found in the NRAO archives.

From the Archives

Ellen Bouton

About this month's photo: Children's holiday parties, held annually at the sites, are a long tradition at NRAO. In this photo from the 1977 party in Green Bank, Santa and his reindeer, led by Rudolph, make their grand entrance. Santa coordinated with GB to turn off his sleigh's transponder while the 140 ft and 300 ft were observing.

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.