ALMA Matters

By Gerald Schieven and Brenda Matthews

ALMA Data Processing/Analysis Workshops for Cycle 11

The North American ALMA Science Center (NAASC) and the Cycle 11 ALMA Ambassadors have organized a series of workshops on the processing and analysis of ALMA data. These workshops will take place in September-November 2024. The goal of these events is to train users on basic data processing and analysis techniques that they may need to use ALMA for scientific discovery. Topics may include:

  • Imaging/cleaning of continuum and spectral line observations
  • Self-calibration
  • Imaging of data from multiple array configurations
  • Using the Pipeline Weblog and Re-running the Imaging Pipeline
  • Using CARTA for Image Visualization and Analysis
  • Science-ready Data Products
  • What’s New in CASA (Common Astronomy Software Applications)
  • The ALMA Press Release Process 

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 in the table below. Early registration is encouraged, to facilitate tailoring the workshops to the interests of the attendees.  Two of the events are being hosted in Canada, by Jess Speedie at University of Victoria (22 October 2024), and by Hamid Hassani at University of Alberta (24 October), though many of the events will be hybrid in-person/virtual and all are welcome to register for any event.  Check the Community Events page for registration information.

Ambassador                                                        Workshop Location            Date
Erica Behrens and Mélisse Bonfand-Caldeira    University of Virginia               19-20 September 2024
Jeff Jennings                                                              CCA/Flatiron Institute             30 September 2024
Jess Speedie                                                                University of Victoria               22 October 2024
Olivia Cooper                                                              Univ. of Texas, Austin              22 October 2024
Patrick Kamineski                                                      Arizona State Univ.                  24-25 October 2024
Hamid Hassani                                                           University of Alberta                24 October 2024
Joshua Lovell                                                              CfA, Harvard & Smithsonian  29 October 2024
Yu-Hsuan (Eltha) Teng                                             University of Maryland            29 October 2024

ALMA Achieves New Milestone:  Record-breaking Observing Hours during a Single Cycle at ALMA

As of 6 September, ALMA reached 3,810 hours of successful scientific observations (QA0 pass hours) in Cycle 10, exceeding the previous record of 3,787 hours achieved in Cycle 5.  While there are many ways to measure the success of the ALMA observatory, observing as many of the outstanding proposals selected as possible is vital to fulfilling its mission.  This remarkable milestone is a testament to the dedication, collaboration, and contributions from all departments and regions across ALMA.  With Cycle 10 continuing until 30 September, ALMA’s goal of exceeding 4000 hours of QA0 Pass time is well within reach.  Hearty congratulations to JAO and the ARCs and to all who contributed to this milestone.

ALMA Primer Instructional Video Series

The ALMA Primer Instructional Video series, which can be found on the Science Portal (https://almascience.org/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. This summer the Herzberg Millimetre Astronomy Group hired two co-op students, Lauren Harrison (University of Victoria) and Natalie Perelygin (Camosun College) to create four new videos:

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.  The full, categorized list of videos with descriptions can be found on the ALMA Science Portal at https://almascience.org/tools/alma-primer-videos.

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@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

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