The next Call for Proposals for observing time with ALMA (Cycle 5) will be issued in March 2017. The deadline for proposals is expected to be on 20 April 2017, with observations starting in October 2017. For more details, please see the ALMA Cycle 5 Pre-announcement and the Additional Information for Cycle 5 Proposals.

To prepare the local astronomical community for the Cycle 5 proposal deadline, the German ARC node organizes ALMA Community Days at the Argelander-Institut für Astronomie in Bonn on 27/28 March 2017 and at the Center for Space and Habitability in Bern on 03 April 2017 in collaboration with the hosting institutes. While these events are open to all ALMA users and prospective ALMA users, preference will be given to astronomers from the local community (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).

German ALMA Community Days (Bonn, 27/28 March 2017)

In Bonn, the first day will feature an introduction to the basic radio astronomical concepts and terminology for non-radio astronomers. The second day will be devoted to practical information on ALMA-related tools and procedures including hands-on tutorials where participants can learn how to use the ALMA-OT and/or prepare their own ALMA proposals with technical support from ARC node staff.

Swiss ALMA Community Day (Bern, 03 April 2017)

In Bern, the Community Day starts with an introduction to the basic radio astronomical concepts and terminology, followed by practical information on ALMA, its capabilities and procedures. In the afternoon, two hands-on tutorials provide an introduction to the ALMA-OT and an opportunity to discuss proposal drafts with the experts from the German ARC node.

Registration to both events will open in early March. If you would like to receive updates on these events and other ALMA-related news, please register for our newsletter.