"Observing with ALMA: Early Science" workshop

The IRAM node of the European ALMA Regional Center will organize a practical workshop on how to plan and analyze ALMA Early Science observations.
ALMA is currently in construction and should start full operations in 2013. However, already in 2011, ALMA will be operated with a limited number of antennas (16) and capacities (e.g. baselines < 1.5 km). The first Call for Proposals for this “ALMA Early Science” phase could be issued as early as the end of 2010, with a deadline in the first semester of 2011. To help the IRAM community to prepare this important milestone, the IRAM ARC node will be organizing a 3-days workshop on November 29th—December 1st 2010 at the institute’s headquarters (Grenoble, France).

The goal of the workshop is to provide the practical information needed to plan ALMA Early Science observations and answer the first Call for Proposals. A detailed, updated description of the ALMA Early Science capabilities will be presented: observing modes, correlator modes, system performances, calibration, etc. Practical points will be addressed, as e.g.
planning ALMA observations using the available simulators, preparing and submitting a proposal using the ALMA Observing Tool, defining the instrumental setup for Phase 1 (proposals) and Phase 2 (accepted projects).
The workshop will include introduction and hands-on demonstration of key software for the ALMA users: the ALMA Observing Tool and the CASA off-line data reduction package.

About the Workshop
A web page and registration form will soon be posted on the IRAM site. Interested participants can contact the organizing committee at: alma2010 [at] iram [dot] fr.