e-MERLIN/VLBI National Facility
CALL FOR e-MERLIN PROPOSALS - Cycle-0 (Semester 2012A)
e-MERLIN is now open to proposals from the international astronomical community. Proposals are competitively peer-reviewed under standard STFC rules by the PATT e-MERLIN Time allocation Committee. Allocation will be made on the basis of scientific merit and technical feasibility alone. During the first 5 semesters of e-MERLIN operations ~50% of observing time has been allocated to 12 large legacy projects and most of the remaining time will be allocated via PATT to standard proposals solicited prior to each observing semester.
e-MERLIN provides high resolution (40-150mas) and high sensitivity (~6-12 uJy in this cycle-0) imaging at cm wavelengths as well as polarimetry, spectroscopy and astrometry. Shared-risk 'Cycle-0' observations will start in February 2012, with some limitations in observing capabilities.
During semester 12A, some commissioning and development work may still take place. Shared risk observations will be carried out on a best-effort basis, but essential system work will take priority over PATT observations. The continuum bandwidth at C-band is currently limited to 512MHz. The full 2GHz bandwidth will not become available until a later semester.
Deadline for Receipt of Proposals - 23:59:59 UT on 26th January 2012
C-Band: 4.5GHz to 7.5GHz
- The Lovell Telescope will be available for up to 15 days at L-Band and C-Band for during Semester 12A at the discretion of the University of Manchester. Proposers must make a detailed case for the inclusion of the Lovell telescope in their proposed observations.
- During Semester 12A e-MERLIN operations will be on a shared-risk basis and no approved programmes are guaranteed time.
- Please note that K-Band observations and rapid frequency flexibility between L- and C-Band will not be available during Semester 12A.
- Proposers should consult the allocated e-MERLIN legacy programme to avoid conflicts (see notes below). In cases where PATT proposals directly replicate portions of allocated legacy projects, legacy projects will normally be given priority.
- During Semester 12A there are two VLBI sessions. Joint simultaneous e-MERLIN+EVN observations are not available in this Semester although associated but separate e-MERLIN and EVN proposals are of course allowed. EVN proposals should be submitted to the EVN Programme Committee - details for proposing for EVN time can be found here: http://www.evlbi.org/proposals/prop.html
The system parameters for observation of a continuum source in optimum conditions are:-
1.23-1.74 GHz (L-band) |
4.3-7.5 GHz (C-band) |
||
---|---|---|---|
Maximum angular resolution | ~150 | ~40 | (milliarcsec) |
RMS level for 12 hr on source | ~12/6** | ~13/7** | (uJy/bm) |
Maximum bandwidth/polarization | ~300 | 512 | (MHz) |
Proposals should be submitted via the e-MERLIN Web-based Proposal
Tool.The proposal tool will be open for proposal submissions from
January 11th 2012
See notes below:
- ** The use of the Lovell telescope at L-Band, and at C-Band with the new receiver systems reduces the 12 hr rms noise level in the central part of the field of view by ~50% compared with the array not including the Lovell Telescope.
- Frequency switching: Due to commissioning commitments in Semester 12A, rapid cycling between L- and C-Band will not be permitted. Within C-Band, frequency changes on time-scales of >2 hr will be possible. However, proposers should note that such programmes (e.g. cycling between observing bands 4.5-5.0GHz and 6.5-7.0GHz within a single observing run) will result in significant additional calibration overheads. Proposals with frequency changes faster than once every 2hrs will not be permitted.
- Nominal sensitivities are based upon a 12-hr on target observation (~18-hr equivalent with calibration). All quoted sensitivities are for ideal conditions. During Semester 12A projected sensitivities are subject to changes due to ongoing commissioning activities and cannot be guaranteed.
- Details of available spectral line configurations are available at http://www.e-merlin.ac.uk/observe/cycle0.html.
- Proposers should take careful note of the observations allocated to the e-MERLIN legacy groups (see http://www.e-merlin.ac.uk/legacy/). The e-MERLIN Legacy programmes will run concurrently with PATT observations from Semester 12A for up to 5 semesters. In cases where PATT proposals directly replicate portions of allocated legacy projects, legacy projects will normally be given priority. All e-MERLIN legacy proposal are available at http://www.e-merlin.ac.uk/legacy/. Proposers requiring further information should contact emerlin@jb.man.ac.uk for clarification well in advance of proposal submission.
- Access to e-MERLIN for Scientists from EU Countries: e-MERLIN is one of the participating institutes in the RadioNet project from which transnational access (TNA) within the EU to existing observing facilities is financially supported. TNA support envisaged for the RadioNet3 provision from January 1st 2012 includes travel reimbursement for data reduction visits to the e-MERLIN support facility in JBCA Manchester for TNA-enabled programmes.
Jodrell Bank Observatory,
Macclesfield,
Cheshire SK11 9DL,
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1477 571321,
Facsimile: +44 (0)1477 571618,
Email:emerlin@jb.man.ac.uk