Welcome to the e-MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, the UK's facility for high resolution radio astronomy observations, operated by The University of Manchester for the Science and Technology Facilities Council.
CYCLE-0 CALL FOR PROPOSALS
SEMESTER 2012A:
Deadline : 23:59 GMT January 26th 2012
e-MERLIN invites open-time proposals for observations in semester 2012A, commencing February 2012. Observing time for semester 2012A is available for continuum and spectral line observations at C-band and L-band. For further details please see the call for proposals and technical pages.
The e-MERLIN proposal submission tool Northstar
A new web-based simulator designed to assist in proposal preparation for e-MERLIN, cycle-0 and beyond is now available (e-MERLIN observation simulator tool).
e-MERLIN is an array of seven radio telescopes, spanning 217km, connected by a new optical fibre network to Jodrell Bank Observatory. Shared risk 'Cycle 0' observations will start in February 2012, with some limitations in observing capabilities. In future cycles e-MERLIN should reach its final capabilities of:
- Observing bands at 1.3-1.8 GHz, 4-8 GHz, 22-24 GHz
- Resolution 10 to 150 mas
- Total bandwidth 4 GHz
- Sensitivity ~ 1 μJy
- Astrometry, polarimetry, spectroscopy
e-MERLIN will address a broad range of scientific questions but its unique combination of angular resolution and sensitivity will be crucial for understanding:
- the history of star-formation and black hole growth as galaxies evolve
- the physical processes which govern the formation of stars
- the modes of activity in nearby galaxies
- the energetic processes in relativistic outflows from jets generated by black holes and compact objects
The e-MERLIN/VLBI National Facility provides the UK contribution to the European VLBI Network (EVN), which links telescopes across Europe and China for observations at milliarcsecond resolution. The EVN and JIVE pages outline the scientific, operational and technical capabilities.
