From Cycle 10, it has been possible to propose for joint VLT and ALMA observations. The first joint VLT/ALMA observing proposal has now been completed (prog ID 113.269Z, PI Benisty). Multi-epoch observations of a protoplanetary disc using VLT/SPHERE and ALMA revealed the suface and midplane layers of the disc. These observations aim to understand the mechanisms and timescale of cooling, which are critical to understanding disc evolution.
First Joint VLT/ALMA Observing Proposal successfully completed
Published: 12 Aug 2024
Observations of a protoplanetary disk with the VLT instrument SPHERE and with ALMA
These observations are a great example of how two state-of-the-art facilities can yield complementary views of astrophysical objects.