VLA Configurations and Proposal Deadlines

The antennas in the Very Large Array are used like the zoom lens in a camera. When they are in the A configuration, the telescopes extend over the 21 kilometer (13 mile) length of each arm. This simulates a single dish that is 36 kilometers (22 miles) in diameter. In this configuration, we have the most magnification and can see the greatest detail. The size of the array gradually decreases with the B and C configurations until, in the D configuration, the telescopes are all placed within .6 kilometer (.4 mile) of the center. In the smaller configurations, scientists can study the overall structure of the source they are observing. By observing the same source in each configuration, scientists can gather a great deal more information.

The telescopes are moved about every four months. The configurations listed below with a lower-case "n", such as "DnC" and "BnA" are hybrid configurations in which the antennas on the east and west arms are moved in for the next configuration, but those on the north arm remain extended for a short time to enhance our view of sources in the southern sky.

VLA Configuration Plans for 2008-2010
OBSERVING PERIOD CONFIGURATION PROPOSAL DEADLINE
2007 Oct 19 - 2008 Feb 04 B 2007 Jun 1
2008 Feb 15 - 2008 Mar 03 CnB 2007 Oct 1
2008 Mar 07 - 2008 May 27 C 2007 Oct 1
2008 Jun 06 - 2008 Jun 23 DnC 2008 Feb 1
2008 Jun 27 - 2008 Sep 15 D 2008 Feb 1
2008 Oct 03 - 2009 Jan 12 A 2008 Jun 2
2009 Jan 23 - 2009 Feb 09 BnA 2008 Oct 1
2009 Feb 13 - 2009 May 18 B 2008 Oct 1
2009 May 29 - 2009 Jun 15 CnB 2009 Feb 2
2009 Jun 19 - 2009 Sep 14 C 2009 Feb 2
2009 Sep 25 - 2009 Oct 12 DnC 2009 Jun 1
2009 Oct 16 - 2010 Jan 11 D 2009 Jun 1
2010 Jan 11 - 2010 Apr 05 D 2009 Oct 1
2010 Apr 09 - 2010 Apr 26 DnC 2009 Oct 1

VLA Configuration Plans for 2008-2010
(dates are approximate!)
Feb-May Jun-Sep Oct-Jan
2008 C D A
2009 B C D
2010 D C B

For more information on the VLA, see "An Overview of the VLA" in the Observational Status Summary.

Modified on Wednesday, 17-Jun-2009 15:00:41 MDT by schedsoc