European ARC nodes

The central European ARC node is located at the ESO headquarters in Garching bei MŸnchen. A distributed network of ARC nodes or Science Support Centres is being set up to provide additional services to the community. It is the intention that all ARC nodes will provide support to the whole EU community. These services include:

  • Extended archive and data reduction support: face-to-face data processing support in a dedicated physical location, modified pipeline versions, re-processing of large and/or complex datasets, advanced simulation development, advanced algorithm development and use, help with archival research projects
  • Support for special projects: public surveys and large programs
  • Science community development: support for ALMA research (e.g., basic training for new users), post-doctoral fellowships, training schools and workshops, ALMA-related specific science workshops, leading science community development activities with ad-hoc assistance from the ESO ARC and advanced public outreach activities

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    ARC nodes are currently being set up throughout Europe at the following locations:

    In addition, small ARC nodes might also be set up in Portugal and Switzerland. The following gives a brief overview of the nodes, the contact persons, current staffing levels, and areas of expertise.

    Bonn-Bochum-Cologne

    Country: Germany
    Contact person: F. Bertoldi
    Current staff: 3 staff astronomers (part-time), 1 postdoc advertised
    Expertise: Infrastructure for advanced data analysis and modeling (incl. Cologne Database for Molecular Spectroscopy), Polarimetry, Astrometry, Pipeline heuristics, Automatic data calibration
    Link to local webpages

    Bologna

    Country: Italy
    Contact person: J. Brand
    Staff: 2 staff astronomers (part-time), 4 postdocs, 1 system manager
    Expertise: Data handling/GRID-technology, Mosaicing, Coordinating surveys/key-projects, Polarimetry
    Link to local webpages

    Onsala

    Countries: Denmark, Sweden, Finland
    Contact person: J. Conway
    Staff: 3 staff astronomers (one at 20%, two full-time), 1 software engineer, 1 postdoc
    Expertise: Multi-Frequency Synthesis, Phase modeling, Self-calibration, Astrometry, Deconvolution, GRID computing, Astrochemical modelling and radiation transfer

    IRAM, Grenoble

    Countries: France, Spain, Germany
    Contact person: F. Gueth
    Staff: 3 astronomers, 2 software engineers
    Expertise: Calibration, Phase correction, Polarimetry, Imaging simulator, Schools
    Link to local webpages

    Leiden

    Country: The Netherlands
    Contact person: M. Hogerheijde
    Staff: 2 staff astronomers (full-time) and 2 postdocs
    Expertise: High-frequency, Wide field imaging, Data analysis tools
    Link to local webpages

    Manchester

    Country: United Kingdom
    Contact person: T. Muxlow
    Staff: 2 astronomers + 1 postdoc, ramping up to 2 astronomers + 3 postdocs. Also 4 additional associated astronomers
    Expertise: Data analysis, Archive, Data reduction heuristics, Proposal preparation, Multi-Frequency-Synthesis and Wide-field & high-dynamic range imaging