The ngVLA Timeline

Follow the Monarchs: A Journey to Explore the Cosmos at (Sub)milliarcsecond Scales with the ngVLA

The international conference on "Follow the Monarchs: A Journey to Explore the Cosmos at (Sub)milliarcsecond Scales with the ngVLA" was held November 11-14 in person in beautiful Morelia, Mexico. The program of 67 talks and 37 posters explored the novel scientific opportunities that will unfold with the unprecedented angular resolution and sensitivity capabilities offered by this new flagship facility.

ngVLA to Benefit from One of the First Astronomy AI Institutes

Two new institutes funded by the US National Science Foundation and the Simons Foundation will build a new breed of astronomical tools by harnessing the uniquely powerful abilities of artificial intelligence (AI). NRAO will be a key part of one of the first Astronomy AI institutes, providing an opportunity to collaborate with leading AI experts and leverage AI research to increase the efficiency and reliability of both existing and future facilities, like the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA).

Report of the Kavli-IAU Workshop on Global Coordination, "Probing the Universe from far-infrared to millimeter wavelengths: future facilities and their synergies"

This workshop convened 70 researchers from six continents and sixteen countries. A major recommendation of the report is "Science agencies and implementing organizations should maintain the momentum and schedule towards the construction of ngVLA in this decade. They should continue to work at developing international partnerships to support ngVLA construction and enable wide access."

ngVLA NSF Conceptual Design Review

After a September 3-6 review in Washington, DC by an international panel, the ngVLA project successfully passed its NSF Conceptual Design review. The project thanks numerous colleagues worldwide who contributed their time and talent to help propel the ngVLA past this important milestone. The ngVLA project will now be considered by the US National Science Foundation for entry to the next phase - Preliminary Design - to further advance the project's definition and execution plan.

Key Science Goals for the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA): Update from the ngVLA Science Advisory Council (2024)

The ngVLA Science Advisory Council released an update to the original ngVLA Key Science Goals, taking account of new results and progress in the 7+ years since their initial presentation.

A Coherent View of Atomic and Molecular Gas from Infrared to Radio Wavelengths

The IAU Focus Meeting on "A Coherent View of Atomic and Molecular Gas from Infrared to Radio Wavelengths" was held August 6-7 in person in Cape Town, South Africa. The program of 36 talks and 81 posters explored how work informed by existing facilities is shaping our understanding of the interstellar medium in the Milky Way and external galaxies, and how this work is re-framing the science to be addressed by the remarkable capabilities of future radio observatories.

Space Weather on Other Worlds

The NRAO and the ngVLA project convened a Special Session titled "Space Weather on Other Worlds" on January 9, 2024 at the American Astronomical Society meeting in New Orleans, LA. The session featured oral presentations from US researchers. It also included iPoster presentations that updated the community about ngVLA progress. Presentation materials are available.

NSF's National Science Board Briefed on ngVLA

The National Science Foundation's National Science Board was briefed on the ngVLA. Use the link to read more and access a video of the briefing.

Portions of the 18m ngVLA Prototype Antenna Unveiled

mtex antenna technology has been contracted to design, develop, and produce the 18m ngVLA prototype antenna. At this event, portions of the prototype were unveiled to government and business leaders, scientists, engineers, and the press from Germany and the U.S. The event was preceded by a conference airing the interests of the German community in ngVLA science and opportunities.

First Mexican Meeting En Route to the ngVLA

To promote and drive the participation of Mexico in the ngVLA, the Institute of Radioastronomy and Astrophysics welcomed the Mexican community to this 3-day conference in Morelia, Mexico.

$21 Million NSF Award Will Bring ngVLA Design to Life

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

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).

ngVLA Formally Enters MREFC Design Process

NSF has formally entered the ngVLA project into the MREFC process, at the Conceptual Design Phase (CDP). This major step forward for the project, at a pretty difficult time for science funding in the country, reflects the strong concept and scientific promise brought forward, and the great execution we have demonstrated in recent years.

The next-generation VLA: Update and Community Forum

The ngVLA will be the premier cm-wavelength facility for astronomy and astrophysics, building on the substantial scientific legacy of the VLA and VLBA. Open to all AAS 242 attendees, this splinter session was a community working meeting anchored by three presentations and with ample opportunity for audience input.

New Eyes on the Universe: SKA & ngVLA

Held May 1-5, 2023 in vibrant Vancouver, Canada, this conference brought together 310+ attendees. Their 60+ talks and 110+ posters laid out the cutting-edge science opportunities enabled by the three decades of frequency spanned by the Square Kilometer Array Observatory and the next-generation Very Large Array.

Chemical Probes of Astrophysical Systems

The NRAO and the ngVLA Project convened a Special Session titled Chemical Probes of Astrophysical Systems on 11 January at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Seattle, Washington. The session highlighted the ngVLA's Key Science Goal 2 and updated the community about the ngVLA design and development. Eighteen presentations were made and are archived online.

Design Review for ngVLA Antenna Clears Way for Prototype Construction

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.

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

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.

ngVLA Completes Its Technical Conceptual Design Review

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.

Computational Astrophysics in the ngVLA Era: Synergistic Simulations, Theory, and Observations

Held 7-9 June 2022 at the Simons Foundation's Flatiron Institute in Manhattan, New York, USA, this conference brought together 80+ theoreticians, modelers, and observers. Their 50+ presentations dealt with the computational astrophysics and observational challenges for the next generation of observatories, with a focus on the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA).

Fifth Round of ngVLA Community Studies Announced

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 four rounds of ngVLA Community Studies, NRAO solicited a fifth round. Four high-priority studies were approved in the fifth round of the program.

Next Generation Very Large Array Strongly Endorsed by Decadal Survey

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 Prototype

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

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.

ngVLA-Japan Website Launched

Congratulations to our Japanese colleagues! Today they launched an ngVLA website in Japanese for the general public, plus a website in English for researchers that showcases 28 memos from Japan's Science Working Groups.

Next Generation VLA Endorsed by Canadian Panel

The Canadian Astronomy Long Range Plan 2020-2030, a report on priorities and recommendations for Canadian astronomy over the next decade, has recommended that Canada support the National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s proposed Next Generation Very Large Array, saying the new facility will enable transformational science across many areas of astrophysics.

Fourth Round of ngVLA Community Studies Announced

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 were approved in the fourth round of the program.

New Views of Galaxy Formation and Evolution

The NRAO and the ngVLA Project convened a virtual Special Session titled "New Views of Galaxy Formation and Evolution" on Thursday, 14 January 2021 (oral session) and Friday, 15 January 2021 (iPoster session) at the winter American Astronomical Society meeting.

Compact Objects and Energetic Phenomena in the Multi-Messenger Era Virtual Mini-Conference

A virtual Multi-Messenger Mini-Conference was held 14-15 July 2020. Its recorded presentations and Q&A sessions covered topics pivotal to the future of multi-messenger astronomy. Presenters focused on current progress, future directions, and how to best use the suite of multi-messenger facilities through the 2020s and beyond. The presenter lineup was primarily organized by Nicole Lloyd-Ronning (Los Alamos) and Tom Maccarone (Texas Tech). Over 850 individuals, predominantly graduate students, registered. Almost 650 individuals representing 40+ countries attended one or both days.

ngVLA Summer Short Talk Series

A weekly virtual ngVLA Summer Short Talk Series ran 25 June–10 September 2020. The recorded presentations and Q&A exchanges discussed key science questions and their connection to present and future observing facilities at all wavelengths. The presenter lineup was organized by the ngVLA Science Advisory Council, led by co-chairs Alberto Bolatto (Maryland) and Andrea Isella (Rice). A total of 768 individuals from 47 countries attended one or more presentations. The average attendance at each meeting included over 200 participants, ranging between 150-380, and represented well over 100 institutions. A large percentage of participants were graduate students.

Presentation to Astro2020 RMS Panel

The ngVLA Project made a presentation to the Astro2020 Panel on Radio, Millimeter and Submillimeter Observations from the Ground. This presentation occured during a session open to the public.

The Scientific Quest for High Angular Resolution

The NRAO and the ngVLA Project convened a Special Session entitled "The Scientific Quest for High Angular Resolution" on 7 January 2020 at the American Astronomical Society winter meeting.

Additional Development Funding and Creation of ngVLA Cooperative Support Agreement with NSF

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.

Reference Design Published

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 Astro2020 APC White Paper Submitted

The ngVLA Project submitted a white paper in response to the Astro2020 Call for Activities, Projects, or State of the Profession Consideration (APC) white papers. This white paper summarized the key science goals of the ngVLA and described the reference design of the ngVLA.

3rd ngVLA Science Meeting

The goal of this workshop was to review the astrophysical frontiers identified in the Science White Papers submitted to the Astro2020 Decadal Survey, with a particular focus on those science frontiers that demand observations at centimeter and/or millimeter wavelengths across all Astro2020 thematic areas.

ngVLA Science Book Published

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.

2nd ngVLA Science Meeting

This conference brought together a substantial cross-section of the astronomical community to discuss how to effectively address the highest priority astrophysical questions of our time.

First Draft of the ngVLA Science Book Released

With 50 (refereed) contributions received to date by nearly 200 unique authors, and more than 10 still in prep., this volume highlights key areas of astrophysics that are ripe for major breakthroughs and clearly underscores the broad U.S. and international support that exists for pursuing a next-generation Very Large Array in the next decade. The science book will continue to be updated over the summer, with contributions being accepted by our Science Advisory Committee until September 1, 2018 in the hope that community members will consider authoring additional chapters, especially for areas that appear to be missing in the current draft.

Second Round of ngVLA Community Studies Announced

ngVLA Development Funding

The NSF allows NRAO to re-profile $11M in funding to support ngVLA development in preparation for Astro2020 Decadal Survey.

ngVLA Key Science Goals Memo Posted

ngVLA Reference Design Memo Posted

ngVLA Science and Technology Meeting

This workshop focussed on building community concensus on the key science goals and associated technical requirements for the ngVLA.

ngVLA Technical Advisory Council Announced

First Round of ngVLA Community Studies Announced

ngVLA Science Advisory Council Announced

ngVLA Science White Papers Posted

An initial set of science white papers was posted on arXiv. The set highlights the transformational science that can be achieved with a next-generation VLA.

Inaugural ngVLA Technical Workshop

This workshop focused on science opportunities and enabling technologies for a next-generation cm-to-mm interferometer. The principal conclusion from this workshop was that the technical requirements for achieving a scientifically transformational ngVLA demand only a plausible extrapolation of current technologies.