ALMA at night. Credit: Alex Pérez.

Announcement for Early Proposal Planning for Cycle 13

ALMA has now published an early proposal planning announcement for Cycle 13. Here are the important dates for the upcoming Cycle 13 Call for Proposals:

19 March 2026: Release of the ALMA Cycle 13 Call for Proposals

23 April 2026: Proposal submission deadline

01 October 2026: Start of Cycle 13

Notably, ALMA will be offering Band 2 observations for the first time in Cycle 13. The configuration schedule can be used for planning observations, although keep in mind that this is always subject to change. Also note that while the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade is underway, it is not expected to significantly impact most aspects of ALMA scientific observations in Cycle 13.

UK ALMA 2026 Webinar/Workshop

23-24 March 2026 (Introductory Workshop)
25 March 2026 (Advanced ALMA Topics Webinar)
The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Registration (Deadline: 15 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 15 February.

Band 2 Update

ALMA has now completed a series of Band 2 Science Verification observations targeting the following objects:

• Arp 220: A nearby ultraluminous infrared galaxy observed using spectral scans covering multiple lines including ¹²CO, ¹³CO, C¹⁸O, HCN, HCO⁺, and HNC to demonstrate line detection capabilities in nearby galaxies.
• G31.41+0.31: A hot molecular core observed using spectral scans at 67-90 GHz to detect multiple molecular lines.
• HR 5907: A rapidly-rotating early B-type star with strong magnetic fields observed in full polarimetry mode to measure linear and circular polarization.
• SPT 0027-50: A submillimetre galaxy at z=3.44 observed using spectral scans covering CO (3-2) and CO (4-3) lines to demonstrate redshift measurement techniques with Band 2.

These data, which illustrate the new range of capabilities that Band 2 will provide to ALMA users, will be released by the time of the ALMA Band 2 workshop at the end of February.

Unveiling ALMA Band 2 Workshop

24-26 February 2026
Bologna, Italy
Website
Registration (Deadline: 16 January 2026)

The new ALMA Band 2 receivers, covering a frequency range of 67 to 116 GHz, will permit ALMA to perform new spectral line and continuum observations at frequencies that have not yet been explored by the telescope. The installation and testing of the ALMA Band 2 receivers is currently underway, and data from the Band 2 receivers will be made available soon.

The Unveiling ALMA Band 2 workshop plans to bring together astronomers and ALMA staff to discuss the full capabilities of Band 2 as well as the potential science that can be done with the new receivers. Additionally, the current plans are to have a special session devoted specifically to the new Band 2 Science Verification data.

While the abstract submission deadline has passed, it is still possible to register for the workshop by filling in this form. The deadline is 16 January 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.