ALMA Early Science Cycle 0 Status Report2

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Image courtesy ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)

The Joint ALMA Observatory has released a status report on Cycle 0 observing and a statement about the timeline for ALMA Early Science Cycle 1. The full report can be found here. ALMA started scientific operations on 30 September 2011. While the quality of the data being collected is excellent, the completion rate of projects is lower than planned. To increase the likelihood that most PIs of the highest priority Cycle 0 projects will receive scientifically valuable data sets, the Cycle 0 observing period will be extended until the end of 2012. This extension will not delay completion of the array.

The observatory plans to release information regarding the capabilities and timeline for ALMA Early Science Cycle 1 in April 2012. The proposal deadline is expected to be in July 2012 with the start of Cycle 1 observations at the beginning of 2013.

The highest priority of the ALMA project continues to be the completion of the full array, expected in the second half of 2013.

NRAO Community Day Events

With the anticipated due date for ALMA Cycle 1 proposals in July 2012, and the NRAO proposal deadline of 1 August 2012, NRAO and the Office of Observatory Science Operations (OSO) announces an opportunity for the scientific community in North America to organize local NRAO Community Day (read more).

Connect with NRAO

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

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF 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. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

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