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NATIONAL
RADIO
ASTRONOMY
OBSERVATORY
Observing Summary
Spring 2009
A summary of 2008
science highlights, and statistics
of telescope operations,
users and visitors,
and publications.
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation
operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Summary of 2008 Observing Programs
1
Science Highlights for 2008
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
2
3
Table 1.
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
3
Figure 1. Observing Hours by Calendar Year
Figure 2. Distribution of Scheduled Hours by Telescope
4
5
Figure 3. Green Bank Telescope Percentage Total Summary
6
Figure 4. Very Large Array Percentage Total Summary
7
Figure 5. Very Long Baseline Array Percentage Total Summary 8
Table 2.
Select Areas of Research Scheduled, Percentage Share 9
The NRAO User Community
Table 3. Distribution of Telescope Time by Percentage
Table 4.
Number of Observers & Inst by Telescope
Figure 6. Number of Observers & Inst by Type by Year
Figure 7. Number of Types of Students by Year
Publication Statistics
10
10
10
11
12
13
Figure 8. Refereed/non-Refereed Publications using NRAO Data 13
Figure 9. Refereed/non-Refereed Publications using NRAO Data
*or* were published by NRAO Authors
14
Summary of 2008 Observing Programs
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
Table 5.
3
15
Number of People (incl. students) and Instituions using
NRAO Facilities in 2008
15
Student and Visitor Programs
24
Undergraduate Interns
Visitors Program
24
24
Student Observing Support (SOS)
25
Front-End Status Reports
26
Robert C. Byrd (GBT) Telescope
Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA)
26
27
Very Long Baseline Array
28
Summary of 2008 Observing Programs
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
Total Telescope Observing Hours
Number Observing Proposals
Numbers Observing
- Individuals
- Students
Number of Distinct Institutions
Number of Telescope Publications
1
20,139
690
1,223
156
273
516
Table 1. This table provides a snapshot of the 2008 NRAO-wide time allocation, user community,
and publication statistics for the 2008 A, B, and C trimesters.
Scientific Highlights
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
2
This section is to include 4-5 science highlights. At least one high light from each of the NRAO telescopes. A
short write-up is needed and, wherever possible, a figure. We can start by looking at the NRAO Newsletters
science highlights and the EPO Press Releases for some good examples.
PR archive webpage - http://www.nrao.edu/pr/
08 Quarterly Reports - http://www.nrao.edu/admin/do/docs/janmar2008qr.pdf
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
3
This section will focus on how the time is allocated on each telescope. Much of what we have
used in the past can be re-used here. Topics and figures include a.
Observing Hours by Calendar Year (for 10 years incl. 2008, e.g. Fig 1 2007)
i.
telescope illustrated in bar
ii.
Includes observing, testing, calibration, etc.
b.
Distribution of Scheduled Observing Time by Telescope (10 years, e.g. Fig 2 2007)
i.
Bars of scheduled observing hours
ii.
Includes obs by whom (staff, visitors), and testing, calibration
c.
Green Bank Telescope Summary (10 yrs, Fig 3 2007)
i.
Percentage of total time shown in line graph
ii.
Includes observing, testing, and “lost” time.
d.
Very Large Array Summary (10 yrs, Fig 4 2007)
i.
Percentage of total time shown in line graph
ii.
Includes observing, testing, and “lost” time.
e.
Very Long Baseline Array Summary (10 yrs, Fig 5 2007)
i.
Percentage of total time shown in line graph
ii.
Includes observing, testing, and lost time.
f.
Distribution of Scheduled Observing Programs (4 research areas, Table page 9, 2007)
i.
Percentage of each telescope’s programs by area
ii.
Includes overall percentage of program s by area out of total programs.
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
4
Figure 1. This figure shows the total observing hours on each telescope during the last 10
years. The hours include astronomical observing, testing, calibration, and commissioning.
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
5
Figure 2. These graphs show the
number of hours scheduled for
testing and calibration, and for
observing by the NRAO staff and
visitors/students on each telescope
system.
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
6
Figure 3. This summary for calendar years 2004-2008 shows the percentage of the total time
that the Green Bank Telescope was scheduled for astronomical observing; for routine system
testing, maintenance, and calibration; and radio interference. The “Observing” and “Testing,
Maintenance & Calibration” percentages account for all available time in the year, excluding three
days of holiday shutdown time. The “Lost Time” is the percentage of the scheduled “Observing”
time lost.
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
7
Figure 4. This summary for calendar years 2004-2008 shows the percentage of the total time in
the year that the Very Large Array was scheduled for astronomical observing; for routine system
testing, maintenance, and calibration; and the percentage of astronomical observing time lost due
to equipment failure, bad weather, and radio interference. “Observing” and “Testing, Maintenance,
& Calibration” percentages account for all available time in the year, excluding three days of
holiday shutdown time. “Lost Time” is the percentage of the scheduled observing time lost.
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
8
Figure 5. This summary for calendar years 2004-2008 shows the percentage of the total time in
the year that the Very Long Baseline Array was scheduled for astronomical observing; for routine
calibration, maintenance, and installation of new experiments; and the percentage of scheduled
observing time lost due to equipment failure, bad weather, and/or radio interference. It should
be noted that about ten percent of the time on the VLBA cannot be scheduled due to the time
difference across the array; this is reflected in the time between the end of one program and
the start of the next.
Time Allocation on NRAO Facilities
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
9
GBT VLA VLBA Overall
I.
SOLAR SYSTEM —
Sun, Planet, Satellites, and Comets
II. STELLAR —
Pulsars, X-ray Sources, Planetary Nebulae, Circumstellar Shells,
Supernova Remnants, Masers, Novae, Supernovae, and Stars
III. GALACTIC —
Galactic Structure, Center, Molecular Clouds, H II Regions,
Star Formation, Molecules, and Interstellar Medium
IV. EXTRAGALACTIC —
Normal and Active Galaxies, Radio Galaxies, Clusters, Quasars,
VLBA Studies, Extragalactic Molecules, and Cosmology
4
1
6
3
12
17
13
14
40
20
7
26
44
62
73
57
Table 2. This table shows a variety of research areas scheduled during the 2008 calendar year
and their particular percentage share of all observing programs that were scheduled on NRAO
instruments.
.
The NRAO User Community
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
Visitors (U.S.)
Visitors (Foreign)
Students
NRAO Staff
Postdoctoral Staff at NRAO
Test and Calibration
Maintenance and Installation
Holidays and Unscheduled
10
GBT VLA VLBA 2008 Summary
37 27 20
28
17 27 16
20
9 6
3
6
14 7
4
9
4 2
0
2
5 19 14
13
12 10 10
11
1 1 32
11
Table 3. This table shows the distribution of telescope time by percentage.
Institutions
Visitors
Students
Postdoctorals at NRAO
NRAO Permanent Staff
Number of Unique Proposals
GBT
152
351
64
13
39
222
VLA
224
661
93
19
37
131
VLBA
125
297
36
2
25
337
Total
273
996
156
19
52
690
Table 4. This table shows the number of observers and institutions by telescope.
The NRAO User Community
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
11
Figure 6. This bar chart shows for the calendar years 1999-2008 the number of NRAO research
staff, research associates, and postdocs that used the NRAO telescopes. In addition, it shows the
total number of visitor-users of NRAO telescopes and the number of institutions from which the
NRAO visitors came.
The NRAO User Community
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
12
Figure 7. This figure shows for the calendar years 1999-2008, the number of PhD students
(salaried at NRAO and non-salaried), co-op students, and summer undergraduate and graduate
students who observed or worked at the NRAO during that year. Note that beginning in 1987,
the majority of the undergraduate summer students were funded by a separate NSF grant,
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).
Publication Statistics
NRAO Obseving Summary 2008
13
Figure 8. This graph shows the number of refereed and non-refereed publications that were
written using NRAO telescope data each calendar year back to 1999. There were 516 during the
2008 calendar year.
Publication Statistics
NRAO Obseving Summary 2008
14
Figure 9. This graph shows the total number of refereed and non-refereed publications that
included NRAO telescope data or were published by NRAO authors during the past 10 years.
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
INSTITUTION
Aerospace Corporation
Agnes Scott College
Alabama, University of
Arizona State University
Birminghan-Southern College
Boston University
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College
California at Berkeley, University of
California at Davis, University of
California at Los Angeles., University of
California at San Diego, University of
California at Santa Barbara, University of
California at Santa Cruz, University of
California Institute of Technology
Canada-French-Hawaii Telescope
Carnegie Institute of Washington
Carnegie Mellon University
Center for Astrophyics
Chicago, University of
Colgate University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Delaware, University of
Denison University
DePaul University
Drexel University
Eureka Scientific
Florida International University
Florida, University of
15
COUNTRY
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
State
GBT
VLA
CA
GA
AL
AZ
AL
MA
MA
PA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
HI
DC
PA
MA
IL
NY
NY
NY
NH
DE
OH
IL
PA
CA
FL
FL
X
X
X
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
INSTITUTION
Franklin and Marshall College
George Mason University
Georgia Southern University
Georgia State University
Hampden-Sydney College
Haverford College
Hawaii at Manoa, University of
Haystack Observatory - NEROC
IBM T.J. Watson Research Ctr
Illinois, University of
Indiana, University of
Institute for Advanced Studies
Iowa State University
Iowa, University of
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Johns Hopkins University
Kentucky, University of
Lehigh University
Los Alamos National Lab.
Lowell Observatory
Macalester College
Manchester College
Marquette University
Marshall Space Flight Center
Maryland, University of
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts, University of
Michigan, University of
Minnesota, University of
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
National Astronomy & Ionopheric Center
16
COUNTRY
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
State
GBT
PA
VA
GA
GA
VA
PA
HI
MA
NY
IL
IN
NJ
IA
IA
CA
MD
KY
PA
NM
AZ
MN
IA
WI
AL
MD
MA
MA
MI
MN
DC
NY
X
VLA
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
INSTITUTION
National
National
National
National
Ecological Observatory
Institute of Standards and Technology
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Optical Astronomy Observatory
17
COUNTRY
United
United
United
United
States
States
States
States
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
United States
National Science Foundation
Naval Research Laboratory
New Mexico Institute of Mining Technology
New Mexico State University
New Mexico, University of
New York University
North Carolina State U.
North Carolina, U. of
Northern Arizona University
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Penn State University
Pennsylvania, University of
Princeton University
Purdue University
Rice University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
Saint Paul's School
Smithsonian Institution
Space Science Institute
Space Telescope Science Institute
Stanford University
State University of New York, Stony Brook
Sweet Briar College
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
United
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
States
State
CO
MD
CO
AZ
NM, VA,
WV, AZ
DC
DC
NM
NM
NM
NY
NC
NC
AZ
IL
OH
PA
PA
NJ
IN
TX
NY
NJ
NH
DC
CO
MD
CA
NY
VA
GBT
VLA
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
INSTITUTION
Texas A&M University
Texas, University of
Trinity University
United States Naval Observatory
University of Arizona
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado at Boulder
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Tech
Virginia, University of
Wartburg College
Washington State University
Washington, University of
Wellesley College
West Virginia University
Whittier College
Wisconsin at Madison, University of
Wisconsin at Whitewater, University of
Yale University
La Plata, Universidad Nacional de
Anglo Australian Observatory
Australian National University
Australian Telescope National Facility
CSIRO
iVEC
Macquarie University
Melbourne, University of
Swinburne University
Sydney, University of
University of New South Wales
University of Western Australia
18
COUNTRY
State
GBT
VLA
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
Argentina
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
TX
TX
TX
DC
AZ
FL
CO
TN
VA
VA
IA
WA
WA
MA
WV
CA
WI
WI
CT
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
INSTITUTION
Innsbruck, Universitat
British Columbia at Okanagan, University of
British Columbia, University of
Canadian Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics
Laval University
Manitoba, University of
National Research Council of Canada
Royal Military College
University of Calgary
University of McGill
University of Prince Edward Island
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
Victoria, University of
York University
Catolica del Norte, Universidad
Chile, Universidad de
Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Nanjing University
Purple Mountain Observatory
Shanghi Observatory
University of Hong Kong
Helsinki University
Turku University
Astrophysique de Paris, Institute d'
Bordeaux University
Centre National de la Recherches Scientifique
Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique
European Space Agency - Headquarters
Grenoble, Observatoire de
19
COUNTRY
Austria
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Canada
Chile
Chile
Chile
China
China
China
China
China
Finland
Finland
France
France
France
France
France
France
State
GBT
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
VLA
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
INSTITUTION
Marseille, Observatoire de
Midi-Pyrenes, Observatoire de
Nice Sophia Antipoli University
Paris, Observatoire de
Paris-Meudon Observatory
Radio Astronomique Millmetrique, Institut de
Spatiale des Rayonnements, Centr d'Etudes
Toulouse, Observatiore de
Universite Joseph Fourier
University of Lyon
University of Montpellier II
Bonn, University of
Cologne, University of
Dr. Karl Remis Observatory
Erlangen-Nurnberg University
European Southern Observatory
European Space Agency - ESOC
Ghent, University of
Gottingen, Georg-August-Universitat
Heidelberg University
Institute of Astrophysics Potsdam
Jacobs University
Koln, Universitat zu
Max-Planck Institut fur extraterrestrische Physik
Max-Planck Institute for Radioastronomy
Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomy
Ruhr-Universitat, Bochum
University of Wurzburg
Academy of Athens
National Observatory of Athens
Geodetic Observatory
20
COUNTRY
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
France
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany
Greece
Greece
Hungary
State
GBT
VLA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
INSTITUTION
Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophyics
Raman Research Institute
S.N. Bose National Center for Basic Sciences
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Cork, University College
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
National University of Ireland, Galway
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Tel-Aviv University
Brera, Osservatorio Astronomico di
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
European Souther Observatory
Firenzi, Universita degli Studi Di
Institute of Radio Astronomy
Instituto Nationale di Astrofisica
Instituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare
International School for Advanced Studies
Roma, Osservatoria Astronomico di
Sardinia Radio Telescope, Cagliari
Torino, Osservatorio Astronomico di
Kagoshima University
Kanagawa Institute of Technology
Kyoto University
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Riken's Institute
Space and Astronautical Science, Institute of
Tohoku University
University of Tokyo
Korea Astronomical Observatory
Korea Institute for Advanced Study
Taeduk Radio Astronomy Observatory
21
COUNTRY
India
India
India
India
Ireland
Ireland
Ireland
Israel
Israel
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Korea
Korea
Korea
State
GBT
VLA
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
22
INSTITUTION
COUNTRY
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico
University of Guanajuato
Amsterdam, University of
Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe
Kapteyn Astronomical Institute
Katholieke Universeit Nijmegen
NFRA
Space Research Organization of the Netherlands
University of Groningen
University of Leiden
Copernicus University
Jagellonian University
Lebedev Physical Institute
St. Petersburg State University
Sternberg Astronomical Institute
Hartesbeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory
Andalucia, Instituto de Astrofisica de
Barcelona, University of
Canarias, Instituto de Astrofisica de
Cantabria, Universidad de,
Consejo Superior de Investigaiones Cientificas
European Space Agency - VILSPA
Geografica Nacional, Instituto
Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes
Laboratorio de Astrofisica Especial y Fisica Fundamental
University of Jaen
Valencia, Universidad de
Chalmers University of Technology
Stockholm Observatory
Institute of Astronomy, ETH Zurich
Observatoire de Geneve
Mexico
Mexico
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Poland
Poland
Russia
Russia
Russia
South Africa
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Spain
Sweden
Sweden
Switzerland
Switzerland
State
GBT
VLA
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Institutions Whose Staff used NRAO Telescopes in 2008
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
23
INSTITUTION
COUNTRY
Paul Scherrer Institute
University of Geneva
Zurich, University of
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Insitute of, Academia Sinica
Armagh Observatory
Cambridge, University of
Cardiff University
Central Lancashire, University of
Edinburgh, University of
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
Lancaster University
Liverpool John Moores University
London University of
Manchester, University of
Mullard Space Science Laboratory
Newcastle, University of
Oxford, University of
Queens University Belfast
Sheffield, University of
Southampton, University of
St. Andrews, University of
University of Bristol
University of Durham
University of Hertfordshire
University of Leeds
University of Nottingham
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
State
GBT
VLA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
VLBA
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Table 5. All told, 1,152 people, including 156 students, from 273 institutions (111 U.S.), used
the facilities of the NRAO during the 2008 calendar year. These numbers exclude NRAO scientific
staff observers.
Student and Visitor Programs
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
24
Undergraduate Interns
The NRAO recently created the Undergraduate Student Internship Program. This program is intended for
students enrolled in an undergraduate program at a US university and who are interested in pursuing research
in radio astronomy, instrumentation development for radio astronomy, or areas of electrical engineering or
computer science that are closely related to radio astronomy observing techniques or data analysis. Each NRAO
undergraduate student intern will work part-time, usually during the academic year, under the supervision of
an NRAO staff member at the Socorro, New Mexico; Green Bank, West Virginia; or Charlottesville, Virginia, site.
The NRAO Visitors Program
The Office of Science and Academic Affairs (OSAA) oversees the NRAO Visitors Program. The program provides
Ph.D. scientists and engineers in radio astronomy and related fields the opportunity to visit any of our sites at
times other than while observing in order to interact with NRAO staff and carry out research programs, e.g.,
during sabbatical or summer leave from their home institutes.
During the period January to December 2008, the Observatory welcomed the following scientists to our
program:
•
Jose Afonso (Lisbon) visited Socorro to work with Nissim Kanekar on a project to obtain a deep 325MHz image of the Chandra Deep Field (South).
•
Shuvra Battacharyya and Andrew Harris (University of Maryland) were awarded appointments at Green
Bank to work with John Ford on digital processing for radio spectroscopy.
•
Gabriella De Lucia (Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics ) visited Socorro to work with Veronica
Strazzullo and Maurilio Pannella this month on the comparison of her models of galaxy evolution including AGN
feedback with our observations, especially for the work on the deep VLA survey in the SWIRE Lockman Hole
field.
•
Dr. Malcolm Gray (University of Manchester, U.K.) spent his sabbatical in Socorro working on theory
and computational models associated with astrophysical masers.
•
Amanda Kepley (University of Virginia) is working in Charlottesville with Kelsey Johnson on leading
observational efforts at radio and millimeter wavelengths to study extragalactic star formation.
•
Dongliang Liu (National Astronomical Observatory of China) visiting NRAO in Charlottesville and Green
Bank working with Scott Ransom to learn about pulsar data processing
Student and Visitor Programs
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
25
•
Duncan Lorimer and Maura McLaughlin (West Virginia University) came to Green Bank to work on
follow-up observations of rotating radio transients and new pulsars discovered in the 350-MHz drift-scan survey
with the GBT.
•
Glen Morrison (CFHT) visited Socorro to work with Frazer Owen on the multi-frequency follow-up to
the SWIRE deep radio survey and on the deep Abell 851 and GOOS-N radio surveys.
•
Stacey Palen (Weber State University) working with Gustaaf van Moorsel on EVLA/CASA user
documentation and a software audit.
•
Patrick Palmer (University of Chicago) visited SO to work with Miller Goss on parallax and proper
motion studies of excited state OH masers in DR21.
•
Vernesa Smolcic (California Institute of Technology) visiting SO to work with Chris Carilli on VLA data.
Student Observing Support (SOS)
The NRAO Student Observing Support Committee met in April and again in August 2008 to discuss the
proposals which were submitted during the previous trimesters. The SOS committee (composed of five faculty
members from US universities) discussed the science case and student support application for each proposal.
You will see below those that were selected to receive funding.
•
Loren Anderson (Boston U, Supervisor: T. Bania) was awarded $12,820 for work related to the GBT
proposal 08C-007 “How Many HII Regions are in the Milky Way?”
•
Fonda Day (U. New Mexico, Supervisor: Y. Pihlstrom) will receive $32,200 for work related to the
VLBA proposal (BP150) “Parallax and OH and H2O studies of Water Fountain PPNe.”
•
Julia Deneva (Cornell, Supervisor: J. Cordes) will receive $13,000 for work related to the GBT proposal
(08B-017) “Uncovering the Galactic Center Pulsar Population: Spectrum Estimation and Timing of Two New
Pulsars.”
•
Jackie Hodges (UC, Berkeley, Supervisor: R. Becker) was awarded $35,000 for work related to the VLA
Large proposal AR685 “Deep VLA Observations of SDSS Stripe 82.”
•
Ryan Lynch (U Virginia, Supervisor: S. Ransom) was awarded $27,400 for work related to the GBT
proposal 08C-076 “Long Term Timing of 55 Recycled Pulsars in Bulge Globular Clusters.”
•
Steve Warren (U. Minnesota, Supervisor: E. Skillman) will receive $29,000 for work related to the VLA
Large proposal (AO215) “VLA and HST: Star Formation History and ISM Feedback in Nearby Galaxies.”
•
Kyle Willet (U. Colorado, Supervisor: J. Darling) will receive $35,000 for work related to the GBT
proposal (08B-035) “A High Redshift OH Megamaser Survey.”
•
Stephanie Zonak (U Maryland, Supervisor: A. Harris) was awarded $18,000 for work related to the GBT
proposal 08C-070 “Deep Zpectrometer Integration toward the Cloverleaf Galaxy.”
Front-End Status – Robert C. Byrd (GBT) Telescope
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
26
Front-End Status – Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA)
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
27
Front-End Status – Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA)
NRAO Observing Summary 2008
28