[mmaimcal] FYI: March 2010 MONTHLY CALENDAR OF THE ALMA PROJECT at NRAO

[Al Wootten]

Folks

Comments, contributions or clarifications??

Clear skies,
Al

                 MONTHLY CALENDAR OF THE ALMA PROJECT at NRAO
                          March 2010

******************************** THIS FORTNIGHT*************************

ALMA’s First Change of Antenna Configuration

ALMA construction continues at full throttle after the Chilean 
earthquake, which disrupted transportation within the country and caused 
a short delay.  There was no damage to the facility, which is located 
far north of the damaged areas.  The people who comprise the ALMA team 
were of course affected, as many had friends, colleagues and family who 
were involved; recovery for them continues.

Two ALMA antennas were moved on 21 and 22 March respectively to antenna
stations within the cluster of stations designated for the Atacama
Compact Array (ACA).  Up until 22 March, the ALMA antennas at the 16500
foot elevation Array Operations Site (AOS) have been at stations on
baselines of about ~150m and run on local generator power.   This
marks the first change of configurations for the fledgling array;
determination of the new baselines was accomplished in short order,
aided by splendid weather (recently below .5 mm precipitable water
vapor at the site). The shorter baselines (~30m) on the ACA stations
afford a more stable platform for many commissioning tests. 
Furthermore, a central power station is now available at the AOS for 
powering the antennas.  Early in April the third antenna will be moved 
to an ACA station; in its present location 560m distant it provides two 
long baselines for other tests (e.g. of water vapor radiometry).

At the Operations Support Facility (OSF) lower down the mountains,
four antennas are going through testing.  Two of these are nearly
through their hurdles and will join those at the summit in due course.
The two antennas accepted several weeks ago are undergoing pointing
and holography tests preparatory to being outfitted with the full
retinue of ALMA equipment.  Another front end arrived from the
European Front End Integration Center (FEIC) in the U. K. and is
undergoing its acceptance tests before being fitted into one of
these antennas.  Another front end assembly is expected from the
East Asian FEIC in Taiwan in early April.

A highlight of the period was the successful installation of the
backup structure assembled at the AEM facility of the OSF onto
the mount structure.  This marked the first integration of the major
structural components of one of these antennas, which make extensive
use of carbon fiber.  A second antenna has now had its major components
mated also.

At midmonth, Mark McKinnon began working closely with ALMA/North
American Project Manager from Adrian Russell, who remains during
a changeover period.
Richard Prestage, Head of the Division of Technical Services (DTS)
at the Joint ALMA Office in Chile, announced that he was returning
to NRAO.  Prestage, as first DTS Head, laid a solid foundation for
the future of ALMA operations.  Thijs de Graauw, ALMA Director
said ‘Richard has made an invaluable contribution to the project
so we are very sad to see him go.’  De Graauw also announced a
new interim organization for DTS.

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Past issues of this Calendar may be viewed at
http://www.cv.nrao.edu/~awootten/mmaimcal/ALMACalendars.html
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General Happenings
Photos of activity may be found at NRAO eNews:
http://www.nrao.edu/news/newsletters/

AOS: On Thursday, 1 April, ALMA antenna DV02 is scheduled to be moved
from its pad some 500m distant from the other two onto a foundation
in the Atacama Compact Array.  In late April, the fourth antenna is
scheduled to be moved to the AOS from the OSF, where it is undergoing
final verification testing.

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DAILY CALENDAR (Times EDT/EST ) see
https://wikio.nrao.edu/bin/view/ALMA/AlmaCalendar
      Mar 9-10     ALMA Science Advisory Committee f2f meeting    NAOJ
      May 24       Preparing for ALMA Session                     AAS
******************************* TECHNICAL NEWS *************************
*****************************ALSO OF INTEREST***************************
CSO CALL FOR PROPOSALS     Due: 31 May 2010
The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) encourages observing
participation by astronomers from both U.S. and non-U.S. institutions.
For instructions on applying and for information about available
instruments, including bolometer cameras, see
http://www.submm.caltech.edu/cso/cso-call.html. Applications for
observing time between 1 September 2010 through 31 January 2011 are
due by 31 May 2010. Applications will be reviewed by an outside peer
group.
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