Time Assignment information

In 2003 MAYT the Compact Array will offer array configurations H75, EW214, EW367, 750C, 1.5C and 6D. Note that the H75 is an addition to the previously advertised arrays. In addition, the term will start with EW352. We expect a one-week shut down in late May. In addition to the standard 20, 13, 6 and 3-cm systems, we expect that all six antennas will be available for 12-mm observations. The frequency range of the 12-mm systems has been extended and is now 16.0 - 25.0 GHz (when using two simultaneous frequency settings, these cannot differ by more than about 2.5 GHz). As in 2002, three antennas will be available with 3-mm systems for the winter of 2003, with the frequency range limited to two sub-bands of 84.9 - 87.3 GHz and 88.5 - 91.3 GHz. Proposals for 3-mm observing time must include an observer who has had previous experience with the ATCA 3-mm systems.

During the term the EW367 array will be configured in a "shuffled" state. This is relevant for 3-mm observing where only three antennas are available. The EW214 and shuffled EW367 arrays provide complementary Fourier coverage. In 2003, for 3-mm proposals, we will be continuing to use a swap scheme to give some robustness against poor weather. To generate a pool of proposals for use as swap partners, we are offering service observing. Service observations will be strictly limited to centimetre wavelength projects where the service observation can be used as a swap partner. The ATNF will provide an operator to do the service proposals.

Mopra information

In 2003 Mopra will be operated in a similar way to 2002. Under an agreement between the ATNF and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), there will be a mix of "national facility" and UNSW-guaranteed time. The 3-mm SIS receiver will be available for use during the winter season.

Tidbinbilla news

From November 2002 until February 2003 the 70-m antenna was unavailable due to maintainance activities. For the remainder of the 2003JANT term approximately 135 hours will be available for radio astronomy. Of this, it is expected that 40 hours will be needed for installation and testing of three new K-band filters, 15 hours will be used for LBA observations, leaving 80 hours for service spectroscopy. As expected the majority of the available time is restricted to hours when Mars is below the horizon at Tidbinbilla.

Special rules applying to NAPA and ToO proposal data release

To clarify some existing policies, results from target-of-opportunity (ToO) and non-a priori assignable proposals (NAPAs) should be made publicly available as soon as possible via an appropriate international astronomy alert service. The results should be made public in time for other groups to follow up the same event. The ATNF now advertises these observations as they are made. See www.narrabri.atnf.csiro.au/observing/napa_too.html

In general, the raw data for these sorts of observations have the same proprietary period as regular observing. However the proprietary period will be suspended if results from the observations are not made public within seven days.

Changes to the ATNF Time Assignment Committee

The National Facility structure of the ATNF (previously Radiophysics) was originally established in 1986 with the setting up of a Steering Committee and Time Assignment Committee. The Steering Committee appoints the TAC members and approves TAC policies. Under the original guidelines, the Director was also the TAC Chair. This structure has worked well with Professor Ron Ekers as TAC Chair from November 1989 until November 2002.

With the imminent departure of Ron Ekers as Director of the ATNF, some changes have been made to the Time Assignment Committee (TAC). Under new guidelines agreed by the ATNF Steering Committee in 2002, the TAC Chair is now appointed by the ATNF Director, normally from an institution outside of CSIRO. The TAC remains advisory to the Director and the Director may attend the meetings as an observer but does not have voting rights.

Brian Schmidt (Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Canberra) took over as TAC Chair in November 2002.

Following a request from the Users Committee, the TAC has recently made some changes in reporting feedback on observing proposals. The TAC letters sent to the proposers will now include the mean grade assigned to each proposal, and the mean grade for all Compact Array and Parkes proposals.

A current list of TAC members is available on the web at www.atnf.csiro.au/management/tac/ .

Bob Sault, Jessica Chapman, Jim Lovell
(Jessica.Chapman@csiro.au)