Although at present all observations on the Plateau de Bure have been stopped (as described earlier in this Newsletter), we strongly encourage the submission of observing proposals for the period of May 15 to November 15, 2000. The reasons are as follows:
The interferometer will remain in the D configuration at least until the end of the winter period. Depending on when observations will be restarted, we may need additional "A-rated" proposals for this configuration. The Programme Committee will be informed about the situation when it meets in early April. Deep integrations and/or low-resolution observations in either snapshot, mapping or mosaicing mode could qualify for this opportunity if it arises.
Although we want to keep the total number of people working on the Plateau de Bure as small as possible during the coming summer months, we hope to be able to support both the technical maintenance and construction work for antenna 6, and observations for some fraction of the time.
How much time can be allocated for scientific observations will not be known until the beginning of the summer period. There are still too many uncertainties, as to how much observational activity can be carried out in the months to come, especially in view of the fact that we will need some time for astronomical testing as soon as Antenna 6 is ready and the new correlator has been installed. The current planning predicts that this could happen during October/early November.
We realize that writing proposals under such conditions will not be easy. However, we must be ready should observing opportunities arise.
To keep the procedures as simple as possible, we suggest that you focus on
Observing proposals are invited for the Plateau de Bure Interferometer for the period May 15, 2000 to Nov 15, 2000. The deadline for applications is March 2nd, 2000 18:00h (MET).
Details of the PdBI and the observing procedures are given in the document ``The Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI)''. A copy can be obtained from the address below or from the World-Wide-Web at http://iram.fr/PDBI/bure.html). Proposers should read this document carefully before submitting any proposal.
We strongly suggest that applications be submitted via the electronic submission facility available at http://iram.fr/submission/submission.html. Note that applications sent by e-mail will not be accepted.
Applications sent by fax or postal mail should be addressed to:
Updated proposal templates proposal.tex as well as the Latex style file
proposal.sty can be retrieved by anonymous ftp from iram.fr (in directory dist/proposal); or from the Internet via
the World-Wide-Web
at http://iram.fr/proposal/proposal.html. In case of problems, contact
the scientific secretary, Mrs Cathy Berjaud (berjaud@iram.fr).
Do not use characters smaller than 11pt, which could make your proposal illegible when duplicated or faxed. For the same reasons, also avoid sending figures with grey scale maps by fax. In case your proposal reaches us in time, but is incomplete or unreadable when copied, we will try our best to contact you. The Principal Investigator will receive by return mail an acknowledgement of receipt and the proposal number.
The scientific aims of the proposed programme should be explained in 2 pages of text maximum, plus up to two pages of figures, tables, and references. Proposals should be self-explanatory, clearly state their aims, and explain the need of the Plateau de Bure interferometer.
In all cases, indicate on the first page whether your proposal is (or is not) the resubmission of a proposal or the continuation of a previously accepted proposal. In case of a resubmission, state very briefly in the introduction why the proposal is being resubmitted (e.g. improved scientific justification, observational restrictions).
Details on receivers, signal to noise, atmospheric phase compensation, correlator configuration choices, observing modes, data reduction and local contacts have not changed, and can be found in Newsletter 38 (January 1999).
The documentation for the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer includes documents of general interest to potential users: