ALMA/Herschel Archival Workshop 2015

The Herschel Space Observatory has produced high quality photometric and spectroscopic data in the wavelength range approximately 55 to 670 μm during its lifetime from 2009 to 2013. To date, all Herschel science data (~23,400 hours of observations, ~37,000 AORs), in addition to a variety of user-provided data products, are publicly available through the Herschel Science Archive. Meanwhile, the ALMA Science Archive is being populated with observations carried out in the first three ALMA observing Cycles, with more data becoming publically available by the day.

The higher frequency ALMA bands overlap with the lower frequency (longer wavelength) Herschel bands, and despite the huge difference in spatial resolution, Herschel sources provide ideal targets for ALMA follow up. Furthermore, with more and more ALMA data becoming publically available every day, the possibilities to further explore these two complementary datasets that cover the fields of planetary, Galactic and extragalactic astrophysics, increase manifold. However, Herschel and ALMA data differ greatly and in order to explore their full potential, the archival users need to be aware not only of the contents of the two archives but of the differences of the datasets, as well.

Many of the Herschel users are increasingly proposing for ALMA time, while a large fraction of ALMA users until now have not spent enough time in checking the Herschel archive to complement their science with Herschel observations.

The target audience are all astronomers that have already used data from either of the two facilities and would now want to expand their knowledge to the neighbouring wavelength regime.

Main Goals
The workshop focuses on the ALMA/Herschel Synergies and archival research, with the following scope and goals:

• Provide examples of science cases based on the combined use of Herschel & ALMA data, covering a broad range of astrophysical topics, from star formation to evolved stars to galaxies and cosmology.
• Promote mutual awareness of Herschel & ALMA data archive contents
• Show users how to explore, access and visualize Herschel & ALMA data products, including existing quick look data analysis tools
• Enable Herschel & ALMA archival science
• Assist users in the preparation of Cycle 3 ALMA proposals based on existing Herschel data

 

More information.