The construction of the next generation heterodyne receivers for Pico Veleta (NGPV) is progressing well. Based on a recent in-depth evaluation, the installation is foreseen later this year. The arrival of the NGPV receiver implies a profound refurbishment of the Nasmyth cabin. Installation and commissioning of the NGPV receiver will take 4 weeks. The Nasmyth cabin optics and the other receivers, HERA and the bolometers, are not affected at this stage.
An effort was made with the NGPV receiver to keep the scientifically very interesting frequency range below 83 GHz. Due to uncertainties associated with local oscillator procurement, it is presently not clear how much of this range can be made available when operation with the NGPV receiver starts. We therefore recommend to astronomers to propose urgent low frequency programs now.
The telescope's new control system is by now well worn in and globally performs as well as the old control system. A host of new features are planned to be introduced this summer (see the NCS web site).
Remote observing is available from the IRAM offices in Granada and Grenoble, and from the remote stations in Madrid and Bonn. A remote station in Paris may also become available soon.
The full Call for Proposals is available on the IRAM web site.