New Capabilities at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Tuesday, 6 January 2015
1:30 – 3:30 pm PST
Washington State Convention Center, Room 303

GBT VLA

NRAO scientific staff will host a Splinter Session at the January 2015 American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting in Seattle that is designed to assist members of the astronomical community who may be new to radio-wavelength observations. This Splinter Session will showcase the cutting-edge capabilities available at the four state-of-the-art NRAO telescopes: the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

Following short talks highlighting exciting science that can be done with each telescope, attendees will have the opportunity to chat informally with NRAO experts about science, observing proposal ideas, and synergies with other facilities. NRAO staff members will also provide hands-on assistance for persons interested in GBT, VLA/VLBA, and ALMA observing proposals in advance of the 1 February 2015 GBT-VLA-VLBA and spring 2015 ALMA Cycle 3 proposal deadlines.

To use the NRAO proposal preparation and observing tools during this Splinter Session, you will need an NRAO account. If you do not have one yet, please sign up online. No previous radio-wavelength experience is necessary to attend and benefit from this Splinter Session, and we strongly encourage new and potential NRAO facility users to attend. For questions or comments, please contact Alison Peck.

The planned talks for this session are:

Talk Speaker Duration Download Presentations
GBT Capabilities and New Instrumentation Jay Lockman 15 minutes GBT Presentation
The Jansky VLA and the VLBA: Capabilities and Recent Developments Emmanuel Momjian 25 minutes VLA Presentation
VLBA Presentation
New Observing Modes for ALMA Cycle 3 Jennifer Donovan Meyer 15 minutes ALMA Presentation

Connect with NRAO

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.

The National Science Foundation (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..."

AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.