VLA Science Opportunities
The general capabilities of the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) have been extensively upgraded as stated in the August 1, 2012 call for proposals. By January 2013, all antennas and receiver bands will be upgraded and extensive testing of the WIDAR correlator will have been done. The last of the L (1-2 GHz), S (2-4 GHz), X (8-12 GHz) and Ku (12-18 GHz) bands will be installed by late 2012. Further, the 3-bit sampler system, enabling up to 8 GHz of simultaneous bandwidth at high frequencies, will be installed.
The general capabilities for the 2013A semester (January 25 - April 22, 2013) are extensive with flexible tuning of sub-band spectral line windows using the 8-bit samplers (enabling up to 2 GHz total bandwidth), use of the 3-bit samplers at higher frequencies in a mode that is suitable for wide-band continuum and extragalactic lines and line searches, use of up to 3 independent sub-arrays and a phased array capability for VLBI.
In addition to the general capabilities, NRAO continues to offer shared risk observing options for those who would like to push the capabilities of the VLA beyond those offered for general use. These are the "Shared Risk Observing" and "Resident Shared Risk Observing" (RSRO) programs. Another observing program is designed for VLA staff to push the test and validation of enhanced or emerging capabilities of the VLA. Details of what is being offered for the shared risk programs and what is required to write a proposal for them are available on the web at: https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/evla/early-science/shared-risk-observing-2013a.
