ngVLA News Items

$21 Million NSF Award Will Bring ngVLA Design to Life

September 14th, 2023

The largest astronomical array in North America is one step closer to becoming a reality. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is pleased to announce that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a 3-year, $21 million grant to Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) to further the design of the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA).

Largest Telescope Array in North America Under Development by NRAO With Support from UNM

September 11th, 2023

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)/Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), and the University of New Mexico (UNM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore collaborations in support of future U.S. radio astronomy initiatives. The MOU outlines the shared interests of AUI/NRAO and UNM in increasing professional collaborations amongst scientific and engineering staff through the sharing of facilities and computing resources. The joint effort will actively identify future collaborations related to the next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA).

Publications Mentioning ngVLA Surpass 1000

July 14th, 2023

The ngVLA was first discussed at a community workshop in 2015. Since then the acronym ngVLA has appeared in 1000+ publications indexed in the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System. The 1000+ milestone is a testament to the community's unwavering enthusiasm for the ngVLA. A big thanks to all publication authors! [Image credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF]

Design Review for ngVLA Antenna Clears Way for Prototype Construction

December 20th, 2022

The design for the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) prototype antenna has passed an intensive, five-day review, clearing the way to begin manufacturing the prototype antenna. [Image credit: Sophia Dagnello, NRAO/AUI/NSF]

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NRAO Signs Cooperative Agreement with UNAM For Development of the Next Generation Very Large Array

November 21st, 2022

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing their collaboration on the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), a new radio observatory currently in design and development at NRAO. [Image credit: Benjamín Chaires]

NRAO Supporting Work of Mexican Astronomer

August 25th, 2022

NRAO is supporting a Mexican astronomer's work to select and develop antenna sites in northern Mexico for the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). [Image credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF]

ngVLA Completes Its Technical Conceptual Design Review

July 14th, 2022

The ngVLA Project successfully completed its Technical Conceptual Design Review in July 2022. This verifies that the technical design is likely to meet all the performance driving requirements. This successful milestone sets the stage for the Programmatic Conceptual Design Review, planned for March 2023.

AAS Splinter Session: A Bold Future for Astrophysics

May 24th, 2022

Astronomy is on the threshold of a knowledge revolution, led in no small part by the imminent revolution in ground-based facilities. Join us at AAS 240 from 9 am to 1030 am PT, June 15th, 2022, as we deepen a vision for a vibrant US astrophysics future based on science laid out by Astro2020. [Image Credit: Debra Kellner]

VLA/VLBA to ngVLA Transition Advisory Group Announced

May 13th, 2022

After carefully reviewing a large number of exceptional nominations, it is our pleasure to announce the VLA / VLBA to ngVLA Transition Advisory Group (TAG). Guided by the scientific opportunities planned for the coming decade, the TAG is charged to develop, quantitatively assess, and evaluate a set of possible VLA / VLBA to ngVLA transition options that can be prioritized on their scientific promise, cost, and technical / personnel impacts.

Building and Expanding ngVLA Science

May 11th, 2022

The ngVLA Science Advisory Council continues to solicit science input from the community. As part of this process, the Science Working Groups have evolved, with an aim to provide focus but with enough breadth to include all science areas. The original four groups have expanded to five. New group members are welcomed.

5th Round of ngVLA Community Studies Awards Announced

February 24th, 2022

The ngVLA Community Studies program allows members of the scientific and engineering communities to contribute to ngVLA efforts. Given the success of four prior rounds of ngVLA Community Studies, NRAO solicited a fifth round. Four high-priority studies have been approved in the fifth round, with two being approved for additional funding. [Movie Credit: K. Akiyama & L. Matthews (ngVLA Memo #66)]

ngVLA Community Studies Program Call for Proposals

December 6th, 2021

The ngVLA Project Office announces its fifth call for proposals for the ngVLA Community Studies Program. [Image Credit: K. Akiyama & L. Matthews (ngVLA Memo #66)]

Next Generation Very Large Array Strongly Endorsed by Decadal Survey

November 4th, 2021

The Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey (Astro2020) of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences has published its report and the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) received high priority for new ground-based observatories to be constructed during the coming decade. The report, in which ngVLA shared second ranking among ground-based projects, was the culmination of a lengthy process aimed at developing a comprehensive research strategy and vision for a decade of transformative science at the frontiers of astronomy and astrophysics.

NSF Awards Funding for ngVLA Antenna Prototype

August 9th, 2021

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) $23 million for design and development work on the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), including producing a prototype antenna. The ngVLA, a powerful radio telescope with 263 dish antennas distributed across North America, is proposed as one of the next generation of cutting-edge astronomical observatories.

NRAO Selects Contractor for Next-Generation VLA Antenna Development

June 1st, 2021

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) has selected a contractor to develop a production-ready design and produce a prototype antenna for the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). NRAO officials signed an agreement with mtex antenna technology GmbH of Germany on May 27.

4th Round of ngVLA Community Studies Announced

February 1st, 2021

As part of the process of building a final concept for the ngVLA, NRAO launched the ngVLA Community Studies program, allowing members of the scientific and engineering communities to become major contributors to this effort. Given the success of our first three rounds of ngVLA Community Studies, NRAO solicited a fourth round. Seven high-priority studies have been approved in the fourth round, four of which were approved for additional funding.

ngVLA Project to Present to Astro2020 RMS Panel

February 3rd, 2020

On February 3, the ngVLA Project will make a presentation to the Astro2020 Panel on Radio, Millimeter and Submillimeter Observations from the Ground. This presentation will occur during a session open to the public. We encourage ngVLA enthusiasts to attend this presentation either in person or online.

New NSF Support Agreement for Next Generation Very Large Array

October 1st, 2019

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded an additional $4M to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) to fund the design and development of the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). With this funding increment, NSF has created a cooperative support agreement for this new planned radio telescope, which will have scientific capabilities far beyond those provided by any existing or currently proposed observatory.

ngVLA Reference Design Released

August 6th, 2019

The ngVLA Reference Design is a low-technical-risk, costed concept that supports the key science goals for the facility, and forms the technical and cost basis of the ngVLA Astro2020 Decadal Survey proposal. The compendium includes a total of 56 technical documents and represents the work of more than 54 engineers and scientists contributing to the project.

ngVLA & SKA Projects Explore Scientific Alliance

June 26th, 2019

The ngVLA and SKA projects are currently investigating a process to establish a scientific alliance that may result in an exchange of observing time across an unprecedented suite of cutting-edge telescopes spanning more than 3 orders of magnitude in observing frequency (50MHz – 116 GHz).

ngVLA Science Book Published

December 21st, 2018

With nearly 90 chapters (850+ pages) from 285+ authors, this volume highlights key areas of astrophysics that are ripe for major breakthroughs and underscores the broad U.S. and international support for pursuing a next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). While this published volume will serve as a critical snapshot for the ngVLA project status and a vision for the ngVLA transformational science, we envisage this science book as a living document that will be periodically updated through the initiation of construction.

updated ngVLA Science Brochure Released

December 17th, 2018

A summary of the ngVLA Key Science Goals and Technical capabilities (December 17, 2018).

Updated ngVLA Overview Presentation is Available

March 1st, 2018

This PowerPoint presentation summarizes the current status of the project (PDF Version. March 1, 2018). In addition, a 3-page PowerPoint summary of the project is available, along with movies of planet formation, high-z CO, and an array fly-over.

NRAO Contracts for Specialized Integrated Circuit for New Radio Telescope

February 15th, 2018

Using new funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for exploring the design of a next-generation radio telescope, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) has contracted with an integrated-circuit design firm to design and produce a specialized integrated circuit that can greatly improve the efficiency of data transmission from real-world sensors to the computers that process the data. While the development supports NRAO’s next-generation radio telescope initiative, it also has potential applications in a number of scientific, commercial, medical, aerospace, industrial, and military fields.

Registration & Abstract Submission Open: Astrophysical Frontiers in the Next Decade: Planets, Galaxies, Black Holes, & the Transient Universe: 25 – 29 June 2018

February 8th, 2018

Sponsored by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, this conference will bring together a substantial cross-section of the astronomical community to discuss how to effectively address the highest priority astrophysical questions of our time. Plenary sessions will feature invited speakers, and three parallel sessions will address: Exoplanet and Protoplanetary Disk Origins, Galaxy Evolution Mechanisms, and Black Holes & Transient Phenomena.

2nd Round of ngVLA Community Studies Awards Announced

November 8th, 2017

As part of the process of building towards a final concept for the ngVLA, NRAO launched the ngVLA Community Studies program, allowing members of the scientific and engineering communities to become major contributors to this effort. Given the success of our first round of ngVLA Community Studies, a second round was initiated, aimed at tackling some of the most pressing questions unveiled by the initial studies.

ngVLA Receives $11M in Development Funding

September 14th, 2017

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) are launching a new initiative to design a next generation radio telescope with scientific capabilities far beyond those provided by any existing or currently proposed observatory. Funding for the new initiative was provided by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Astronomical Sciences, allowing NRAO to re-profile $11M in funding planned for instrument development over a longer time period into a focused two-year effort.

ngVLA Key Science Goals Documented in a Community-Led Report

August 2nd, 2017

This document describes some of the fundamental astrophysical problems that require observing capabilities at millimeter- and centimeter wavelengths well beyond those of existing, or already planned, telescopes. The results summarized in this report follow a solicitation from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory to develop key science cases for a future U.S.-led radio telescope, the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA). The ngVLA will have roughly 10 times the collecting area of the Jansky VLA, operate at frequencies from 1 GHz to 116 GHz with up to 20 GHz of bandwidth, possess a compact core for high surface-brightness sensitivity, and extended baselines of at least hundreds of kilometers and ultimately across the continent to provide high-resolution imaging. The ngVLA builds on the scientific and technical legacy of the Jansky VLA and ALMA, and will be designed to provide the next leap forward in our understanding of planets, galaxies, and black holes.

ngVLA Reference Design Development & Performance Estimates Memo Published

July 17th, 2017

The predicted performance of the array, based on feedback from the community following the June 2017 ngVLA Science and Technology meeting in Socorro, is described in ngVLA Memo 17.