Pre-announcement for ALMA Cycle 1

The Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) expects to start the next cycle of Early Science observations (Cycle 1) in January 2013. A Call for Proposals for Early Science Cycle 1 will be issued at the end of May 2012, with an anticipated deadline for proposal submission in mid-July.

ALMA Early Science Cycle 1 observations will start in January 2013 and span 10 months. It is anticipated that approximately 800 hours of array time will be available for Cycle 1 projects. Any astronomer may submit a proposal in response to the ALMA Early Science Cycle 1 Call for Proposals.

The key dates for Cycle 1 are given below. ALMA reserves the right to alter the given dates, should it become necessary to do so.

• Deadline for Notices of Intent: 15 May 2012
• Call for Proposals for ALMA Early Science Cycle 1, release of Observing Tool, and opening of archive for proposal submission: 31 May 2012
• Proposal Deadline: 12 July 2012
• Result of the proposal review process sent to PIs: Mid November 2012
• Start of ALMA Cycle 1 observing: 1 January 2013
• One month engineering period during altiplanic winter: February 2013
• End of ALMA Cycle 1 observing: 31 October 201