1.4.1 Transnational Access for e-MERLIN)

1.4.1.1 Description of the publicity concerning the new opportunities for access

Eligible user groups were identified and sent targeted emails inviting them to consider sending personnel to Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics for data analysis, indicating that travel and subsistence funding was available for such visits. Such emails were sent to all the eligible user groups. Many groups have indicated an interest in arranging for such a visit.

1.4.1.2 Description of the selection procedure

There are no changes to the existing selection procedures and the Selection Panel (TAG) composition has not changed during this reporting period. During the reporting period VLBI operations have continued, but e-MERLIN is in the letter stages of commissioning. Formal e-MERLIN proposals are not being accepted at present until commissioning has been completed. Director’s Discretionary Time (DDT) proposals are however still available and shared-risk observations to assist commissioning have been advertised to the astronomical community – and specifically to a number of European research groups who have plans to utilise e-MERLIN in the future and are able to apply for TNA funding to assist in observations and data reduction. It is envisaged that full proposal submission procedures will recommence in Q1 2012 for early e-MERLIN operations.

1.4.1.3 Transnational Access Activity

There are 6 identified eligible user groups and associated e-MERLIN projects which have been approved through DDT applications. They are a mixture of separate e-MERLIN observations associated with successful VLBI proposals, some specific test data requested as pilot studies for existing e-MERLIN Legacy Programmes (LP), and a target of opportunity request for a micro-quasar in outburst which is part of a multi-wavelength study. These comprise:

e-MERLIN observations associated with VLBI projects: RR006 PI Miguel Perez-Torres (Granada) Detection of a dust-enshrouded supernova in UGC8387 EM093 PI Mehreen Mahmood (JIVE) Two mysterious ultra-steep spectrum radio sources EA049 PI Zsolt Paragi (JIVE) 3C316: Jet-NLR cloud interactions & AGN feedback

e-MERLIN shared-risk commissioning observations: 11A-D01 PI Isabella Prandoni (Bologna) Faint AGN in GOODS-N – Pilot study for e-MERGE LP 11A-D02 PI Robert Laing (ESO) 3C336 polarization study – Pilot study for Extragalactic Jets LP 11A-D03 PI Anthony Rushton (ESO) SS433 in outburst – coordinated e-MERLIN & EVLA studies

Total access hours observed by e-MERLIN for all eligible projects - 203

Access hours per eligible project RR006 - 39

                                                                                          EM093         -          7						
                                                                                          EA049          -        62
                                                                                          11A-D01      -        42									                   
                                                                                          11A-D02      -        28
                                                                                          11A-D03      -        25                                                                       
		
                                                                                      						
                                                                                          

The eligible user groups contain both established workers in the field and young researchers. The original MERLIN array was a mature instrument with a substantial international user base and observations made here with e-MERLIN during commissioning draw heavily upon this existing user base. In recent years a significant effort has been made to advertise and attract new research groups from Europe and the UK. RadioNet activity has undoubtedly helpe