Science Working Groups

The categories for the SWG represent areas of interest or concern for the definition and implementation of the VLASS.

Science Working Groups:

  • Galactic - The Milky Way and close companions. Includes: stars, gas, dust, compact objects, galactic magnetic field and dynamo, galactic structure, astrochemistry, stellar and planetary system formation, molecular cloud dynamics, planetary nebulae, supernova remnants, galactic masers, etc.
  • Extragalactic - The Universe outside the Milky Way: Includes: cosmology, large scale structure, dark matter and dark energy, galaxy evolution, active galactic nuclei and supermassive black holes, cosmic magnetism.
  • Transients and Variability - Special issues for variable, bursting, and transient sources (galactic and extragalactic in origin) and discovery of new phenomena in the time domain. Includes: stellar flares, AGN variability, supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, tidal disruption events around black holes, compact object mergers and gravity-wave events, and other issues such as multiwavelength follow-up of transient events.
  • Survey Implementation Working Group - Issues and techniques for observing, the processing of the survey data, and production of data products. Includes: scheduling, observing, calibration, imaging, object identification and catalogs, error analysis and likelihood functions, optimal array configurations, simulations, and other issues like software and algorithms research and development.
  • Communication / Education / Outreach - Issues and initiatives for increasing the visibility and utility of the VLASS in the context of education and public awareness, and encouraging wider participation by a more diverse user base. Includes: links to other surveys and communities, communication opportunities, education at all levels, citizen science, outreach, social media, internet-enabled collaboratoria, events.

  • NRAO Data Products, Archiving and Enhanced Data Products working Group  - issues related to the definition, storage and distribution of both the NRAO Basic Data Products and the Enhanced Data Products to be produced by the community.

Working and Communicating with the Working Groups

We are using a Google Group to communicate within and between the Science Working Groups. New members are welcome to sign up by visiting the link.

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.