First Results from the ALMA survey to Resolve exoKuiper belt Substructures (ARKS)

The debris discs imaged by ARKS. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Marino, S. Mac Manamon, and the ARKS collaboration.
Description. Credit: ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), S. Marino, S. Mac Manamon, and the ARKS collaboration.

The first science papers from the ALMA Large Program ARKS (ALMA survey to Resolve exoKuiper belt Substructures), which was supported by the UK ARC Node, have now been published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. This project performed a survey of 24 debris discs with the goal of mapping and measuring the radial and vertical extent of the dust within these discs as well as characterizing the gas content within them. A broad range of structures were seen in these objects, including rings with gaps, asymmetries, and vertically puffed-up structures. More details are given in the press released on the ALMA and NRAO websites.

 

UK ALMA 2026 Webinar/Workshop

23-24 March 2026 (Introductory Workshop)
25 March 2026 (Advanced ALMA Topics Webinar)
The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Website Registration (Deadline: 16 February 2026)

ALMA is starting to undergo a major upgrade which will significantly enhance the telescope's capabilities. This upgrade, named the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU), will have significant impacts on the way users set up ALMA projects. However, the implementation of the WSU will affect ALMA's capabilities during several observing cycles before full WSU operations are achieved. The first of these changes to directly impact users will likely happen in ALMA Cycle 13, which currently has a proposal submission deadline of 23 April 2026. The current expectations are that, in Cycle 13, proposers will be required to use the new WSU proposal submission tool, the next generation Observing Tool (ngOT). Also, Cycle 13 will provide users with access to the first of the new WSU-compliant receiver bands, ALMA Band 2.

This UK ARC Node workshop will comprise two parts. The first part on 23 and 24 March will provide an introduction to ALMA and working with ALMA data, suitable for new or less experience ALMA users and will cover the following topics:

  • An Introduction to ALMA
  • The ALMA Observation Support Tool (for simulating data)
  • The ALMA Science Archive
  • Inspecting Downloaded Data
  • Imaging ALMA Data

The second part will be held on 25 March and will cover essential information for all ALMA users, including the following topics:

  • The Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU)
  • ALMA Band 2
  • Planning for Future Science Capabilities
  • The Next Generation Observing Tool (for submitting proposals; ngOT)
  • Beyond the ALMA WSU: Millimetre/sub-millimetre interferometry in the 2040's (ALMA2040)

People who are interested in any part of this webinar/workshop should sign up using the registration form. Registration will close on 16 February. Note that we are encouraging people based in the UK who are participating the introductory part of the workshop to attend in person if possible, although joining online is still an option.

 

ARC Scientist Position at ESO

Job Listing (Deadline: 25 March 2026)

ESO is advertising a position at the ALMA Regional Centre at its headquarters in Garching, Germany. This position will assist with core ALMA duties including preparing ALMA observations, contributing to optimising the observing preparation process, undertaking Astronomer on Duty shifts in Chile. 20% of the time may be spent on personal astronomical research.

The application website is linked to through the job advertisement. People should submit a motivational letter, a CV with a publication list, a research statement, and the names and contact details of three referees. The submission deadline is 25 March 2026.

 

UK ALMA Regional Centre Support Information and Contact Details

The UK ALMA Regional Centre Node is available to provide support to people working with or interested in working with ALMA. This may include help with preparatory data analysis, including the use of archival data, proposal and observing preparation, data calibration and imaging, and subsequent data analyses. We can also provide computing facilities for ALMA data processing and training for individuals or groups of people.

If you have any ALMA science results that they want to share with the UK ALMA community, please contact us, and we will endeavour to include those results in our next newsletter and on our website.

For any ALMA-related queries or support requests, please contact the UK ARC Node via the following:

ALMA Helpdesk: help.almascience.org
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.alma.ac.uk