Erik Rosolowsky (U Alberta) & Joan Wrobel (NRAO)
ngVLA Webinar
On May 29, representatives from NRC and NRAO hosted an online webinar prior to the annual CASCA meeting. At that meeting, Eric Murphy (NRAO), the ngVLA project scientist, presented an update on project status. Brenda Matthews (NRC), co-chair of the ngVLA Science Advisory Council, presented scientific planning update and outlined the different avenues for Canadian participation. While still under development, the webinar presented a notional framework for Canadian contributions. The ngVLA will operate under a reciprocal open skies framework where PIs from different countries can use the ngVLA up to a proportion of time equal to US access to that country’s national astronomical facilities. With no additional contribution to the ngVLA, Canadians and all other SKA countries would be limited to a combined ~5% of ngVLA time. Canada could secure a larger share of access through contributions to construction or operations. There are several opportunities for construction contributions given Canadian expertise in build correlators and receivers. You can get access to the recording of the webinar by sending an email request to Brenda.Matthews[at]nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Prototype Antenna Handover
On 25 April, mtex antenna technology GmbH officially handed over the prototype antenna for the proposed ngVLA to the NSF NRAO. The handover ceremony occured at the NSF Very Large Array site on the Plains of San Agustin, New Mexico. Attendees included colleagues from Mexico and Germany, New Mexico state representatives, contractors from mtex, NRAO and ngVLA project staff, and members of the ngVLA Science and Technical Councils. The handover marks a significant step forward in the proposed ngVLA project, setting the stage for further testing and development in New Mexico. Photos from the ceremony are available here.
New Partnerships with U.S. Universities
On 19 May, NSF NRAO and Johns Hopkins University (JHU) announced a new partnership that leverages on JHU’s strengths in data science, artificial intelligence, and astrophysics. By combining the NSF NRAO’s expertise in radio astronomy with JHU’s cutting-edge computational resources in Maryland, the collaboration will tackle the immense data processing and analysis challenges posed by the ngVLA and future astronomical surveys.
On 25 April, NSF NRAO and the University of Florida announced a new partnership to advance science education and public outreach at a future ngVLA Long site in Florida. This partnership brings together world-class scientific expertise and educational leadership to create unique opportunities for students, educators, and the public across Florida.
Astrochemistry in the Broadband Era
The ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade and the ngVLA will deliver unprecedented spectral bandwidths while maintaining exquisite spectral resolution and sensitivity. The data quality in this broadband era will transform astrochemistry, but will also require entirely new approaches to data analysis. This workshop aims to identify high-priority science and develop a roadmap for achieving it. The workshop will be held 20-24 October in Portland, Maine. Abstract submission for posters is still open, and cost-saving Early-Bird Registration runs through 1 July. Further details are available here.