ALMA Science Advisory Committee


Teleconference, 7 August 2002


Draft Minutes


Participants: Paul  Van den Bout, Stephane Guilloteau, Dick Kurz, Ewine
van Dishoeck, John Richer, Malcolm Walmsley, Peter Shaver, 
Neal Evans, Geoff Blake, Al Wootten, Leo Bronfman, Diego Mardones,
Chris Wilson, Mark Gurwell, Rafael Bachiller, P. Cox, L. Mundy,
M. Yun, K. Tatematsu.

Minutes of the July telecon were approved, and the agenda was accepted.


1) Status Report

R. Kurz reported on recent activities in Europe, most importantly the
ESO Council's approval on 9 July of Europe's participation in the
construction and operation of ALMA. As P. Cox said, this was a major
milestone for the project, and M. Tarenghi commented that ALMA is now in
the construction phase. P. Vanden Bout mentioned the upcoming National
Science Board decision expected later this month. Concerning the Joint
ALMA Office, M. Tarenghi said that vacancy notices for the permanent
positions had been published, and search committees were set up, with P.
Van der Kruit and A. Sargent the European and North Americal chairs
respectively.

On the prototype antennas, G. Mangum gave a brief progress report for
the Vertex antenna; September 9th is still the expected date, and the
panels are still the pacing item. R. Kurz said that April 2003 is still
the delivery date for the European prototype antenna, and M. Ishiguro
said that a CDR for the Japanese prototype had taken place in June and
delivery was expected in about April 2003.


2) Interim Reports from Working Groups on Charges from the ACC to the
ASAC

N. Evans gave a brief summary of the site evaluation and stringency
group's work. Plots on current data are available on the web site. A
report will be written before the face-to-face meeting. N. Evans said
that input is needed concerning the early science experiments.
Concerning information about cloud cover, A. Wootten said that there is
a camera on site, and R. Kurz said that a report from satellite data
will be available soon.

P. Cox reported on considerations on early science with ALMA. A
teleconference had taken place on 30 July, and S. Guilloteau has sent a
report to the ASAC. A memo will be available before the face-to-face
meeting. The main points so far include the need to differentiate early
science from commissioning, and the use of early science to demonstrate
possibilities to the community. There are many parameters, so the
situation is complex, and a timeline was needed. The early science
observations should define the unique capabilities of ALMA, stressing
the sensitivity, long baselines, polarization etc. The possible role of
high frequency observations was discussed. The group felt that early
science observations should start when six antennas and their receivers
are available (and one antenna for total power), likely in 3Q 2007. A
table is being prepared showing ALMA's capabilities compared with
existing facilities (including their likely future possibilities). E.
van Dishoeck commented that the commissioning needs must also be taken
into account. M. Yun asked what configurations would be available. C.
Wilson said that the Y++ configuration would not be available. M.
Tarenghi asked for requests on this point from the ASAC, and A. Wootten
suggested that inputs be available for the upcoming meeting.


3) Japanese community meeting on Japan's Participation in the ALMA
Project

T. Hasagawa reminded the ASAC of the four items on the Japanese list of
possible enhancements: the ACA (12 x 7m antennas and 4 x 12m antennas),
new receiver bands for the whole array, a second generation correlator,
and contributions to the infrastructure and operations. No
prioritization is given between these four items. A full proposal is to
go to the E-ACC members in mid-August. S. Yamamoto added that there are
extensive discussions of the enhancements taking place in meetings of
the Japanese astronomical community. The importance of all four items
mentioned above is recognized, and the importance of band 1 is also
stressed (so bands 1, 4, 8, and 10 are all considered important, with no
priority ranking between them at present).
4) AOB

P. Cox reminded those responsible of the need for documents sufficiently
in advance of the face-to-face meeting. Concerning the software report,
S. Guilloteau said there has been good progress, which will be
summarized in a short report.

T. Hasegawa asked about plans to present a summary of the ASAC meeting
at the E-ACC meeting. P. Cox said that he would be making an oral
presentation, and that there would be several ASAC documents available.
E. van Dishoeck said that a presentation on the possible enhancements
would be made.


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