Category Archives: News and Announcements

by Gerald Schieven and Brenda Matthews (NRC-HAA)

ALMA Cycle 13 Call for Proposals

 The ALMA Director, on behalf of the Joint ALMA Observatory and the partner organizations in East Asia, Europe, and North America, is pleased to announce that the ALMA Cycle 13 Call for Proposals (https://almascience.org/proposing/call-for-proposals) for scientific observations is now OPEN!  ALMA Cycle 13 is currently scheduled for observations from October 2026 to September 2027. Users of any nationality or affiliation are invited to submit proposals before the deadline of 15:00 UT on Thursday 23 April 2025.

Full information on capabilities, time availability, and how to submit a proposal, can be found at the following URL:  https://almascience.org/proposing/call-for-proposals

For the first time, a complete suite of receiver bands from Band 1 through 10 will be offered on the 12m-Array.  See the article below on Band 2.  In addition, proposals will be submitted using a completely web-based Observing Tool.  See the article below.

Band 2 offered for Cycle 13 and Science Verification data released!

  (67–116 GHz) is anticipated to be offered on the 12-m Array from the start of Cycle 13 (October 2026). As with previous new band introductions (e.g Band 1), the exact start date and number of available antennas may be subject to operational and technical constraints. Based on current receiver integration progress, up to ~43 Band 2 receivers may be available at the start of the cycle.

Band 2 capabilities offered are expected to include:

• Dual-polarization (i.e. total intensity) observing modes available on the 12-m Array, excluding Solar and Pulsar/VLBI.
• On-axis / narrow-field linear and circular polarization, with performance and uncertainties comparable to other ALMA bands.

The Band 2 offering remains subject to factors such as weather conditions, ongoing receiver integration activities, and overall resource availability. For further details, see the announcement at https://almascience.nrao.edu/news/update-on-band-2-for-early-proposal-planning-for-cycle-13.

Band 2 Science Verification data has been released. The data release consists of the following targets:

• G31.41+0.31: spectral scan in Band 2
• SPT 0027-50: spectral scan in Band 2
• Arp 220: spectral scan in Band 2 
• HR 5907: full polarization in Band 2

For full details, see the announcement at https://almascience.nrao.edu/news/announcement-of-intent-to-release-science-verification-data-in-band-2.

Web-based OT to be used for Cycle 13 proposal submission

ALMA is pleased to announce that, for the Cycle 13 Call for Proposals, a web-based interface of the ALMA Observing Tool (OT) will replace the previously used desktop-based OT. The web-based OT offers the same functionality as the desktop-based OT. The new interface offers a modernized and optimized view while retaining the same familiar workflow and structure. Proposal drafts will now be automatically saved within the system, without the need to save local files.

As always, users are strongly encouraged to submit their proposals early. This allows users to ensure that their proposals are correctly set up for successful submission, and allows time to seek support from local ARC staff if needed. While this has also been the guidance in previous cycles, Cycle 13 proposers may want to give this guidance special consideration while they gain familiarity with the web-based OT.

More details about the web-based OT are available in the Call for Proposals documentation https://almascience.nrao.edu/proposing/call-for-proposals

ALMA Ambassadors Cycle 13 Proposal Preparation Events

In advance of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Cycle 13 Call for Proposals deadline, the North American ALMA Science Center (NAASC), along with current ALMA Ambassadors, have organized a series of ALMA proposal preparation workshops from March 20 – 31, 2026. The goal of these events is to provide users with the knowledge they need to carry out cutting-edge scientific research using the ALMA facilities. We are particularly interested in reaching new users, so no experience with radio astronomy is required to participate!  Many of the workshops are hybrid (i.e. partly on-line), so please check the workshop links (below) if you wish to participate without having to travel.

These ALMA talks are hosted by experienced postdocs and graduate students as part of the ALMA Ambassadors program (https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/ambassadors-program/). Registration for these events is free. The workshops are designed to assist you in proposal preparation and observation planning for ALMA Cycle 13, and may include talks on the following topics:

• ALMA Basics and Cycle 13 Capabilities
• Radio Interferometry Basics
• Cycle 13 Proposal Preparation and the Proposal Review Process
• Introduction to the ALMA Observing Tool
• ALMA Data Products, Archive Use, and Notes on the Pipeline Weblog
• Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA) Simulations

Information on the locations and dates for these workshops is available on the NAASC Community Events webpage <https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/community> and below.

• McMaster University (March 27; Woorak Choi) https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/naasc-workshops/nrao-cd-mcmaster26
• Universidad de Valparaíso (March 20; Carla Cornil-Baïotto) https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/naasc-workshops/nrao-cd-valparaiso26
• University of Florida.(March 24; Nazar Budaiev and Maria Galloway-Sprietsma) https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/naasc-workshops/nrao-cd-florida26
• Indiana University (March 25; Nickolas Pingel) https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/naasc-workshops/nrao-cd-indiana26
• Universidad de Atacama (March 25; Carla Cornil-Baïotto) https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/naasc-workshops/nrao-cd-atacama26/
• University of Michigan (March 31; Teresa Paneque-Carreno) https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/alma/naasc-workshops/nrao-cd-michigan26

Later in the year, the ALMA Ambassadors will run another series of community events focused on the processing and analysis of ALMA data. Dates and locations for those events will be announced in future.

Canadian Proposal Success in Cycle 12

PIs from Canadian institutions did very well during the Cycle 12 call.  Canada has a nominal 7.125% stake in the North American share of the ALMA consortium.  In Cycle 12 Canadian PIs were awarded 13.9% of the North American fraction of 12-m Array time, much higher than the mere 1.8% we got in Cycle 11, and still significantly higher than the average over all cycles of 6.9%.  Note this is just for priority A+B projects.  Including grade C (fallback), Canadian PIs are still getting 13.4% of the 12m-array time, and 18.5% of the ACA time, both well above the nominal allocation.

Globally, there are Canadian PIs/coIs on almost 25% of all projects allocated at high (A+B) priority in Cycle 12.

ALMA Primer Video Series – New Releases

The ALMA Primer Instructional Video series, which can be found on the Science Portal at
https://almascience.nrao.edu/tools/alma-primer-videos, is designed to provide a basic introduction to radio interferometry, calibration, imaging, and other topics in short (5-10 minute), easy-to-digest segments. As a work in progress, new videos are released periodically.  Recently a new video has been released featuring a brief introduction to calibrating polarization data (https://youtu.be/E3Ojs3OxdMI?si=OuZPO70J1t7CpTeR).  Another video, an introduction to Primary Beams and Field-of-View (https://youtu.be/FzOCsraxQ1k?si=YC5Tm4q23t0iFmpO), was released in late summer.

Other videos in the series include an Introduction to Radio Interferometry, Calibration, CLEAN, and much more. Subscribe to the ALMA Primer Video Series YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@almaprimer920) to be alerted to new videos as they are released.

We are always looking for ideas for new videos, and especially looking for people who would like to help with script generation, animation, and narration. If you have an idea or would like to join the Primer Video Working Group (at any level of effort), please contact gerald.schieven[at]nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Expected capabilities for Cycle 14

The ALMA Observatory is currently planning for the implementation and commissioning of the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (https://www.almaobservatory.org/en/scientists/alma-2030-wsu/). The impact on science operations, including PI observations, for future observing cycles is currently being evaluated. However, for Cycle 14, the anticipated top-level capabilities — including available observing hours and configuration schedule — remain unchanged. The configuration schedule for Cycle 14 is therefore expected to be similar to that of Cycle 12. The precise information can be found at https://almascience.org/observing/observing-configuration-schedule/long-term-configuration-schedule.

For the capabilities of Cycles 15 and beyond, updates will be provided through the Science Portal once available.

See this announcement on the ALMA Science Portal at: https://almascience.nrao.edu/news/web-based-ot-for-cycle-13-call-and-expected-capabilities-during-cycle-14

Synthesis Imaging Summer Workshop

The NSF NRAO will be hosting the 21st Synthesis Imaging Summer Workshop (https://whova.com/web/Hs49eW8Z%40XxATfbPP3sKYYEAUFCmcHPF8SyHad%40doZo%3D/) in Socorro, New Mexico, from May 26th to June 3rd, 2026. The workshop will consist of a week of lectures on aperture synthesis theory and techniques at a level appropriate for graduate students in astrophysics, covering both radio interferometry fundamentals and state-of-the-art methods and techniques. The program will include discussion groups, and tutorials demonstrating data collection, calibration, and imaging of various types of observations, including new data from the NSF Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), NSF Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and a special tour to the NSF VLA site.

This year the workshop will also include a session on optical interferometry (lectures, tutorials), and a visit to the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) site.

Visit the workshop website (https://whova.com/web/Hs49eW8Z%40XxATfbPP3sKYYEAUFCmcHPF8SyHad%40doZo%3D/) for information on registration, program, and logistics.

By Patrick Côté (NRC-Herzberg), Tyrone Woods (University of Manitoba)

Detector Testing

• A project to test and characterize large-format CMOS, delta-doped devices for the CASTOR mission is underway at the University of Calgary. This project represents a long-term collaboration between NRC, JPL, Teledyne-e2v, Open University, UCalgary, UManitoba and CSA. The Vacuum UV Calibration Laboratory at the University of Calgary has been significantly upgraded to enable these tests, which are now underway. Results will be presented at the upcoming SPIE meeting in Copenhagen (July 5-10).

UVMOS Prototyping

• The NRC-led “Small Teams” project to prototype a DMD-based UV Multi-Object Spectrograph (UVMOS) for CASTOR is making good progress. Several subsystems (on detectors, DMD control electronics and re-windowing, UV coatings and gratings) have made significant progress since the last update, and it is expected that assembly and testing of the prototype will be begin in mid-2027. Several progress reports on this project will be given at the upcoming SPIE meeting.

CSA Request for Information

• In February, the CSA issued a Request for Information relating to an upcoming Space Technology Development Program (STDP) call for “Enabling Technologies for Future Missions” (Solicitation number 9F063-20250303). One of the four priority technologies listed in this call, Electronics for Large Mosaic Focal Plane Arrays of Astronomical Low Light Imagers, focuses specifically on CIS-300 detectors and supporting readout/control electronics for the CASTOR mission (with possible applications to HWO). It is expected this 2-year program will run from 2026 to 2028.

Phase A+ Study Planning

• NRC and CSA have completed a detailed project management plan for a CASTOR Phase A+ study that will move the mission to the next stage of its development. This anticipated 18- to 24-month study would consist of the standard tasks and deliverables for a Phase A study, plus significant breadboarding and prototyping activities needed to reduce technical risk and refine cost estimates for subsequent phases (B-E) in order to deliver a firm fixed price for the mission. As part of this plan, CSA and NRC have identified a possible governance framework for co-development of the mission, which may provide a roadmap for co-development of future Canadian space astronomy projects.

CASCA AGM and CASTOR

• The upcoming CASCA Annual General Meeting will feature an SKA/CASTOR lunch kindly sponsored by ACURA. A detailed program will be made available closer to the event.

Optical Telescope / Ground Station

• A preliminary site visit and tests have been carried out in Inuvik in support of a Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) proposal to build a hybrid optical telescope / ground station in the high arctic. Led by the University of Manitoba, this project aims to build and operate a 40cm optical telescope at the Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (ISSF). This hybrid facility would be useable as both a research telescope, and an optical ground station. For more information, contact Tyrone Woods (Tyrone.Woods@umanitoba.ca) or Ryan Wierckx (wierckx1@myumanitoba.ca).

Lobbying Efforts

• The Coalition for Canadian astronomy is continuing its efforts to secure approval and funding of a Phase A+ study. More details may be found in the President’s report

For more information on the mission, see https://www.castormission.org

By Nadine Manset (Director of Science Operations, on behalf of the CFHT ‘ohana)

Recently

The Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) report from the December 2025 meeting held in Waimea is available online on CFHT’s website (https://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/en/science/SAC/reports/SAC_report_Dec2025.php).

Emmanuel Bertin, former CFHT Resident Astronomer, released a Python-based exposure time calculator (ETC) for MegaCam (and also WIRCam), pyDIET (pydiet.cfht.hawaii.edu). There are functionalities that the current ETC doesn’t have, worth checking out!

Winter weather has posed significant challenges since February, with little improvement expected before the Spring Equinox. The February MegaCam run was severely impacted, and the current run may be lost entirely. Two shorter runs, one for SITELLE and one for WIRCam, also yielded very few observations. A particularly intense storm system brought winds exceeding 110 knots at the summit of Maunakea, along with more than 45 cm of rain over just a few days. These conditions highlight the unique and dynamic environment of Maunakea, where this work takes place.

Maunakea News

The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA) was established in 2022 to “protect Mauna Kea for future generations and manage the lands for the purpose of fostering a mutual stewardship paradigm in which ecology, the environment, natural resources, cultural practices, education, and science are in balance and synergy”. The five-year transition period with the University of Hawaiʻi, which runs from mid-2023 to mid-2028, is now well past its halfway point. Among the many decisions relating to the management of the mountain’s summit area, MKSOA will decide on the future of astronomy on Maunakea in the new lease that will replace the current one, due to expire at the end of 2033.

In preparation for this new lease, MKSOA has engaged in an extensive consultation process with Hawaiʻi’s local communities with the help of a consulting group, Kua o Wākea (https://kuaowakea.org/). Ten meetings (https://kuaowakea.org/workshops/) were held across the Hawaiian Islands from mid-January to mid-February. CFHT actively participated in 9 of these 10 meetings, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the MKSOA process and vision, particularly the Kānāwai (https://kuaowakea.org/kuka-kanawai.mp4), which in Hawaiian tradition and culture refers to the natural processes regulating environmental resources. We urge astronomy staff interested in Maunakea astronomy and using data from Maunakea Observatories to familiarize themselves with the paradigm shift involving MKSOA. Extremely useful resources are, for example, available on the Kua o Wākea Resources page (https://kuaowakea.org/resources/).

Soon

The deadline for Community Survey (CS) proposals is April 30, 2026. We are excited by the ideas and collaborations generated by the Call for Proposals, and look forward to years of observations that will reflect the scientific interests of our communities and deliver high impact and high legacy value for years to come. Additional information on the CS and the Call is available here https://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/en/science/CommunitySurvey/CS-CfP/  For further information or inquiries, please reach out to the CSWG by email cswg-info@cfht.hawaii.edu

Later

In June, we are expecting the arrival of Wenaokeao, an optomechanical interface that will allow installing SPIRou and ESPaDOnS at the Cassegrain focus of the telescope at the same time. Thanks to a beam splitter that will separate the near IR and optical beams without affecting polarization, and relay optics, Wenaokeao will be used to observe with SPIRou only (no intervening optics), or with ESPaDOnS only (using relay optics), or with both SPIRou and ESPaDOnS simultaneously (using the beam splitter). Off-sky and on-sky tests will be performed during semester 2026B and Wenaokeao released for observing for 27A. For more details, please see https://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/en/instruments/VISION/

CFHT staff members will be at CASCA 2026 in Montréal. Given that the 2027 AGM will be virtual, we want to take advantage of all opportunities to interact with all our users. We hope to see you there!