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European Radio Astronomy ConsortiumNewsletter Issue 09/2025
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Astronomers have observed a rare Einstein Cross with a bright central fifth image, produced by gravitational lensing of the distant galaxy HerS-3 (11.6 billion light-years away). Observations with NOEMA, ALMA, VLA, and Hubble show that the five-image configuration can only be explained by a massive dark matter halo in the foreground galaxy group. This discovery provides a unique laboratory to study dark matter and galaxy evolution in the early Universe, and represents the first Einstein Cross detected at sub-millimeter and radio wavelengths. The results are published in the Astrophysical Journal. Read the IRAM news here. Image: Einstein-Cross-NOEMA-IRAM-2025 © IRAM |
The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration has unveiled new images of the supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy M87. For the first time, the EHT detects faint emission from the base of M87’s relativistic jet, while multi-year observations from 2017 to 2021 reveal unexpected flips in polarized light, showing that magnetic fields near the black hole are dynamic and evolving. Upgrades to the EHT, including two new telescopes and improved calibration, enabled these unprecedented insights into how matter and energy behave in the extreme environment around a black hole, offering a new window into cosmic jets and magnetic dynamics. Read more here Images: New images from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration have revealed a dynamic environment with changing polarization patterns caused by the magnetic fields of the supermassive black hole M87*. As shown in the images above, while M87*’s magnetic fields appeared to spiral in one direction in 2017, they settled in 2018 and reversed direction in 2021. The cumulative effects of this polarization change over time suggests that M87* and its surrounding environment are constantly evolving. © EHT Collaboration |
Astronomers have observed the earliest stages of planet formation around the baby star HOPS-315, 1,300 light-years away. The international team, including scientists from Chalmers University of Technology and Onsala Space Observatory, analyzed chemical signals that reveal the first building blocks of rocky planets. Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope and the ALMA observatory, the researchers detected hot minerals containing silicon monoxide in the star’s protoplanetary disc. This provides a rare glimpse into what our own Solar System looked like billions of years ago. Read full news from Chalmers. Image: James Webb Space Telescope (left) and a few of the 66 antennas in the ALMA telescope, in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Credits: ESO/José Francisco Salgado and NASA/ESA/CSA |
A new study led by MPIfR (Guang-Yao Zhao) demonstrates a major advance in millimeter VLBI: the first single-optical-path frequency-phase-transfer (FPT) observations between 86 GHz and 258 GHz on an 8600 km baseline. Using APEX’s newly commissioned N3AR receiver in dual-band mode and simultaneous observations with the IRAM 30 m telescope — both supported by RadioNet — the team successfully reduced phase errors at 258 GHz by transferring phase solutions from 86 GHz. This significantly improves coherence and sensitivity at frequencies above 250 GHz. Postprocessing of the data was performed at MPIfR in Bonn. This technique opens the door to higher-frequency, higher-fidelity VLBI imaging, enabling unprecedented precision for future studies of compact astrophysical sources. Read more in the original publication: Astronomy & Astrophysics. Image: © MPIfR / Guang-Yao Zhao et al. – Demonstration of frequency phase transfer from 86 GHz to 258 GHz using APEX and IRAM 30 m telescopes (adapted from Fig. 1 in original publication) |
The European VLBI Network (EVN) continues its successful online seminar series, highlighting the power of VLBI in astronomy. In early 2025, talks explored innovative SETI approaches (Michael Garrett) and multi-messenger astronomy (Marica Branchesi), attracting over 100 live participants and 700+ YouTube views. This fall, two new seminars will take place:
• 6 November, 11:00 CET: Miguel Pérez-Torres (IAA-CSIC) on exciting transient sources revealed by VLBI
• 5 December: Sandor Frey (Konkoly Observatory) on VLBI and Gaia astrometry for AGN astrophysics.
Summaries and recordings are available on the EVN seminars webpage. |
ESO announced that the 2026 European ALMA School will be hosted by the Allegro ARC node in Leiden, Netherlands, from 26–30 January 2026. The program will cover topics from interferometry basics to advanced data analysis and future ALMA developments, and is open to both beginners and experienced users. The event also includes a tour of Leiden Observatory. Registration here |
Installation and testing of the ALMA Band 2 receivers, covering 67 to 116 GHz, is currently underway. In anticipation of Band 2 being offered in the near future, the ALMA Band 2 workshop brings together astronomers and ALMA/ARC staff to discuss the new potential for various scientific fields. We plan to have a dedicated session focused on looking at the Band 2 Science Verification data. The workshop will be held in person on 24 - 26 February 2026, Bologna, Italy. For more information, registration and abstract submission (abstract deadline October 31, 2025), please visit the workshop’s website. Image acknowledgements: Spectra credit: Synthetic spectrum of glycolaldehyde, ethylene glycol, and the formyl radical taken from Beltran et al., 2015, arXiv:1509.02702. Image and photo credit: ALMA Band 3 13CO (1-0) moment 0 map of the ultra compact HII region G9.62+0.19 from UCHII_G1_a_03_TM1 (2018.1.00424.S). Photography by B. Tafreshi (ESO). |
The second Transnational Access (TNA) call of the ACME project is now open! This program supports research visits to European institutes offering training and expert guidance in multi-messenger astronomy - from gravitational waves and neutrinos to cosmic rays and photons across the electromagnetic spectrum. Who can apply?
PhD students, postdocs, and staff scientists from universities and research institutes in both EU and non-EU countries. Applicants must apply to institutions outside their home country.
• Deadline: 8 October 2025, 17:00 CET
• Visits: until April 2026 Find more here
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During the week of 22–26 September 2025, the SKA Observatory (SKAO) showcased its scientific and societal impact at G20-related events under South Africa’s presidency. For the first time, SKAO addressed the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting, highlighting how its global collaboration is driving discovery, innovation, and socio-economic benefits. The week also saw the first SKAO Ministerial Council, reaffirming international commitment to the project, and a high-level visit to the South African SKA site by delegations from 26 countries. With construction of the world’s largest radio telescopes well underway, the SKAO continues to demonstrate the power of science to address global challenges. Find more here. Image: High level representatives from the SKAO member states and observers attend the first SKAO Ministerial Council following the G20 Research and Innovation Ministerial Meeting in Pretoria. Credit: SKAO |
POLICY NEWSThe ERC Scientific Council has announced changes to its grant evaluation process for the 2026-2027 calls, aimed at simplifying and improving fairness. Key changes include: a revised format for scientific proposals, with enhanced assessment of feasibility. measures to reduce the workload on evaluation panels, and updated eligibility windows for the Starting and Consolidator Grant schemes. The ERC invites feedback from the research community via its social media channels. Find more here. The European Commission has launched a new strategy to strengthen Europe’s research and technology infrastructures, aiming to make them more integrated, accessible, and attractive for scientists, innovators, and industry. The plan focuses on boosting capacity and investment, simplifying access, attracting talent, streamlining governance, and reinforcing international cooperation. These infrastructures are recognised as the backbone of Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem, supporting everything from frontier science to market-ready technologies. Read more. The final report of the 2022–2024 ESFRI Landmark Monitoring has been published, covering 30 Landmarks in the first pilot round. It reviews the monitoring process, key findings from three batches, and lessons learnt. The report confirms the Landmarks’ scientific excellence and strategic importance, while noting the need for stronger KPI frameworks and stable long-term funding. A step-by-step manual is also in preparation to guide future monitoring rounds. Read the report. The European Commission is collecting feedback through its Digital Omnibus consultation, covering key laws such as the AI Act, Data Governance Act, Free Flow of Non-Personal Data Regulation, and the Open Data Directive. The goal is to assess whether current data rules enable researchers or need better harmonization and simplification. You can take part and share your views until 14 October. Find more here. On 30 September 2025, the Council of the EU endorsed measures to strengthen research, innovation, and talent support for startups and scaleups, aiming to boost Europe’s competitiveness and foster closer links between science and entrepreneurship. The conclusions also call for easier access to research infrastructures and reduced administrative burdens. Find more here. |
The call for e-MERLIN Proposals: Cycle-21. Full details here. Deadline: 13:59:59 UT on 23rd October 2025 |
The call for observing proposals with the European VLBI Network (EVN) is now open. Full details here. Deadline: 1st of October 2025, 16:00 UTC |
2026A CALL FOR PROPOSALS - INAF RADIO TELESCOPES
• the 32-m Medicina antenna (Grueff Radio Telescope)
• the 32-m Noto antenna
• the 64-m Sardinia Radio Telescope
Full details here. DEADLINE October 13, 2025, 12:00 UTC |
Call for Proposals for the East Asian VLBI Network (EAVN)' for the 2026A semester is announced. More details here. Deadline November 03, 2025 08:00:00 UT |
The European ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) provides the interface between the ALMA project and the European science community. The ARC is staffed by scientists with expertise in radio astronomy and interferometry and it supports its users throughout the lifetime of a project, from proposal preparation to data analysis. |
ALTA offers to the world-wide astronomical community free virtual access to data and scientific products produced from all sky surveys of the Northern sky that will be conducted with the new Apertif frontend of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT), as well as tools to query, further exploit and perform data mining of these products adaptable to diverse research goals. . |
LTA is a long-established archive and access facility supporting the international LOFAR telescope. It is currently the largest radio astronomical archive in the world already exceeding 45 PB from LOFAR’s past 10 years of operations. The LTA provides a central and key resource for all observed LOFAR astronomical science programs where the data become public within 12 months of first creation. |
RadioNet - European Radio Astronomy Consortium
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