[mmaimcal]DRSP for early science

[Bryan Butler]

during our discussion yesterday, barry clark pointed out that the 
initial configuration for the VLA, during "commissioning", was two short 
arms and one long one.  it stayed fixed for the entire time - until all 
27 antennas were in the array.  no moving antennas around at all.

so, the VLA experience echoes the argument for long baselines early.

	-bryan

On 5/26/04 8:59 AM, Stephane Guilloteau wrote:

> Bryan,
> 
>     I fully support your point of view. The DRSP is a "Design Reference Science Program", and
> I don't believe we shall design the intermediate status of ALMA just for some "early science" which will
> be superseded quickly in the next 3 years...  The intermediate status of ALMA can derive from much 
> simpler considerations:
>     - there will still be construction, and we don't want to delay the final delivery
>     - we won't start from the largest array
>     - but ALMA will be unique in 2 ways during the early science
>         - its sub-mm capabilities
>         - and its high angular resolution
>     although sensitivity will not be at the best at that time.
>     (polarisation may or may not be a unique aspect of ALMA at that time)
>     - ALMA will have to show QUICKLY some UNIQUE results (the taxpayer argument...)
> 
> So the message to the project is rather
>     "Let's get SOME long baselines quickly"
> 
>         Stephane
> 
> -------------------------------------------------
> S. Guilloteau
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