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European Radio Astronomy Consortium

Newsletter Issue 10/2022

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CASA processing of VLBI observations

CASA processing of VLBI observations

The CASA package is now capable of calibrating the majority of VLBI observations. The new tasks and functionalities to process and calibrate VLBI observations - whose implementation has been led by JIVE - are described in a paper published in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (PASP) journal. In addition to a description of the software, a comparison with AIPS processing is included, demonstrating the results are virtually identical. This paper appears jointly with the new CASA reference paper, which gives a high-level overview of the entire CASA package.

The Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA) software package is a data processing software used for different radio telescopes. It is the main processing package for instruments such as the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA), and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA). The CASA software can process data from both single-dish and aperture-synthesis telescopes.

Read the JIV-ERIC article from October 6, 2022 here.

Image: © Ilse van Bemmel; The images of one source from EVN experiment N14C3 processed with AIPS (left) and CASA (right) demonstrate how identical the results are.

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Heaviest element yet detected in an exoplanet atmosphere

Heaviest element yet detected in an exoplanet atmosphere

Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT), astronomers have discovered the heaviest element ever found in an exoplanet atmosphere — barium. They were surprised to discover barium at high altitudes in the atmospheres of the ultra-hot gas giants WASP-76 b and WASP-121 b — two exoplanets, planets which orbit stars outside our Solar System. This unexpected discovery raises questions about what these exotic atmospheres may be like.

Read here the ESO article from October 13, 2022.

Image: © ESO/M. Kornmesser; This artist’s impression shows an ultra-hot exoplanet, a planet beyond our Solar System, as it is about to transit in front of its host star. When the light from the star passes through the planet’s atmosphere, it is filtered by the chemical elements and molecules in the gaseous layer. With sensitive instruments, the signatures of those elements and molecules can be observed from Earth. Using the ESPRESSO instrument of ESO’s Very Large Telescope, astronomers have found the heaviest element yet in an exoplanet's atmosphere, barium, in the two ultra-hot Jupiters WASP-76 b and WASP-121 b.

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ERIS 2022

ERIS 2022

The 9th European Radio Interferometry School (ERIS 2022), funded by the ORP Project and hosted by JIV-ERIC and ASTRON took place between September 19 - 23, 2022. It was attended by over 70 participants and provided a week of lectures and tutorials on how to achieve scientific results from radio interferometry.

More information here.

Image: © Zsolt Paragi/JIVE; Group Picture ERIS 2022 School organised in Dwingeloo, the Netherlands

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ALMA Science Archive School

ALMA Science Archive School

The ALMA Science Archive School was held on October 5-7, 2022 at the CNR Research Campus in Bologna, Italy - organised by the European ALMA Regional Centre Network and supported by ORP.

The school aimed to present an overview of the ALMA Science Archive, of the most advanced tools to exploit the archive content for science, and a discussion of possible tricks to address mining issues. It was intended to help the participants with the exploitation of the archive, presenting the various tools to extract relevant data from the archive, and to preview the data.

Read more here.

Image: © J. Brand; ALMA Science Archive School participants during a hands-on exercise

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Official inauguration of NOEMA

Official inauguration of NOEMA

Eight years after its first antenna was inaugurated in 2014, the major astronomical project is now complete: NOEMA is now the new major facility for radio astronomy in Europe. It consists of twelve 15-meter antennas that can be moved along tracks up to a distance of 1.7 kilometers, making it a powerful new tool for astronomical research.

On September 30, 2022, NOEMA has been inaugurated in the presence of Antoine Petit, President and CEO of the CNRS, Martin Stratmann, President of the MPG, Rafael Bachiller, Director of the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional of the IGN, Karl Schuster, IRAM Director, Stéphane Guilloteau, Chairman of the IRAM Steering Committee, and Reinhard Genzel, 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics and member of the IRAM Steering Committee.

Read here the IRAM article and here the CNRS article on the NOEMA inauguration.

Image: © IRAM, K.Zacher; From right to left: Antoine Petit (CNRS President), Martin Stratmann (MPG President), Karl Schuster (IRAM Director) and Stephane Guilloteau (CNRS, IRAM Council Chair)

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New visitor center at Onsala Space Observatory

New visitor center at Onsala Space Observatory

The new visitor center at Onsala Space Observatory opened last month and gives new opportunities to explore both the universe and our own planet. The observatory is one of few places in the world where visitors can come into close contact with gigantic, working telescopes.

Read more here.

Image: © Anna-Lena Lundqvist​​; Chalmers President Stefan Bengtsson gave the opening speech.

 

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ICRI2022

ICRI2022

Every two years since 2012 the International Conference for Research Infrastructures (ICRI) takes place. This  worldwide important event provides the opportunity for strategic discussions about international cooperation in research infrastructures (RIs). A variety of experts and stakeholders discuss challenges and emerging trends, highlighting the essential role of RI.

The ICRI 2022 (October 19-21, 2022 in Brno/CZ) brought together high-level politicians and RI representatives from all over the world to debate emerging RIs policy-making topics of utmost importance: participants from ESFRI Landmarks and the ESFRI Project, members of European RIs Consortia (ERIC), members from international R&D organizations and projects, politicians and representatives of the European Commission. The programme tackled grant challenges of RIs such as the COVID-19 pandemic, data and digitalization, multi-scale ecosystems, social and economic benefits and impact of RIs. Transnational access has been described as "One of the best ideas for Europe ever and one a kind in the world”. It was agreed that collaboration and not competition is the effective way towards future. 

The upcoming ICRI in 2024 will take place in Australia.

Image: © I. Rottmann (MPIfR); Opening Session, Cathy FOLEY, Australia's Chief Scientist, Australian Government talking about SKA.

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Software and Techniques for VLBI Data Processing and Analysis – Reviewed

Software and Techniques for VLBI Data Processing and Analysis – Reviewed

This review describes the latest techniques and algorithms that scientists should know about when analyzing VLBI data.

See here on the website of the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute an early access version of the review. The complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.

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POLICY NEWS

 

EC publication: Approaches to inclusive gender equality in research and innovation

To promote diversity in R&I and open its gender policy to intersections with other social characteristics, the EC supports the development of inclusive gender equality plans (GEPs) and policies. See here the report published as part of these efforts, which presents emerging practices and policies at EU and national levels to support the inclusion and equal opportunity of students, researchers and staff from diverse backgrounds in European R&I systems.

Commission launches call for displaced researchers from Ukraine

On September 28, 2022, the MSCA4Ukraine scheme, funded by the Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, has published its call for applications to support displaced researchers from Ukraine. With a total budget of €25 million, MSCA4Ukraine will provide fellowships for doctoral candidates and post-doctoral researchers.

Find all details here.

CoARA: Call for candidacies

The Interim Secretariat of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), composed of the European University Association, Science Europe, and the European Commission, has launched a call for candidates for the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair(s) and other Steering Board members of the CoARA.

CoARA is a Coalition of research funding organisations, research performing organisations, national/regional assessment authorities and agencies, as well as associations of the above organisations, learned societies and other relevant organisations that have signed the Agreement on Reforming Research Assessment and are committed to implement changes to research assessment, and mutually support and learn from each other as they progress in their reform journey.

Read here the EC press release.

EC moving towards a manifesto for gender-inclusive STE(A)M education and careers

The European Commission is calling for stakeholders’ contributions to a survey on a manifesto for gender-inclusive STEAM education & careers.

The EU is facing an unparalleled shortage of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields is committed to strengthening women’s and girls’ participation in STEM studies and careers through a roadmap of activities. One specific objective of the roadmap is the creation of a “Manifesto for gender-inclusive STE(A)M education and careers”.

Read more here.

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ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES

e-MERLIN cycle 15: Call is open now

e-MERLIN cycle 15: Call is open now

The e-Merlin call for proposals for Cycle 15 is now open. Details specific to Cycle 15 are available here. Use the e-MERLIN proposal tool to submit your proposal.

Access/funding is offered through the ORP (Opticon RadioNet Pilot) project.

Submission deadline: November 3, 2022, 13:59:59 UT

European ALMA Regional Centre

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. Users that want to visit an ARC node for a face-to-face visit can apply for funding through the ORP project. 

The Westerbork Apertif Long Term Archive (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. The access/funding offered through the ORP project.

LOFAR Long Term Archive (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. The access/funding is offered through the ORP project.

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• SARAO – Receiver Systems Technician – position – deadline 04.11.2022

• FORTH – TITAN Postdoc positions: Radio weak lensing – position; Weak lensing & High-Order Statistics – position; Morphology and Spatial Distribution of the Dust Emission using Deep Learning Methods – position – deadline 15.11.2022

• York University –  Assistant Professor – position – deadline 21.11.22

• MPIfRPostdoctoral Positions in Radio Astronomy at ERC project M2FINDERS – position

• University of Chicago – Associate Professor in Astronomy and Astrophysics – position, Assistant Professor in Astronomy and Astrophysics – position

Check also EURAXESS

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EVENTS

• Radio2022 Symposium and GLOW Annual Assembly – November 2-4, 2022 – Berlin/DE

• 11th IRAM Interferometry School – November 21-25, 2022 – Grenoble/FR

• IAU-Challenges and Innovations in Computational Astrophysics IV – November 21-23, 2022 – virtual

• The SARAO / Breakthrough Listen MeerKAT Grand Tour Data Science Workshop – January 15-21, 2023 – Makhanda/ZA

• IAU Symposium (IAUS) 380 Cosmic Masers: Proper Motion toward the Next-Generation Large Projects – March 20-24, 2023 – Kagoshima City/JP (hybrid)

• New Eyes on the Universe: SKA & ngVLA – April 30-May 5, 2023 – Vancouver/CA

• Bologna-VLBI: Life begins at 40! New frontiers and scientific challenges with enhanced frequency/time/space – May 22-26, 2023 – Bologna/IT

• EAS 2023 – July 10-14, 2023 – Krakow/PL

• IAU Symposium 365: Dynamics of Solar and Stellar Convection Zones and Atmospheres – August 21-25, 2023 – Moscow/RU

• ALMA at 10 years: Past, Present, and Future – December 4-8, 2023 –  Puerto Varas/CL

 See also the Calendar

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