Early Science Cycle 0 observations

ALMA is on track to start Early Science Cycle 0 observations on 30 September 2011 or soon after – this week we successfully collected data with 17 antennas (136 baselines). We now plan to start Cycle 0 observing in the compact configuration. The extended configuration is expected to be available by the end of 2011 and the timing of the reconfiguration to the extended array will take into account the subscription pressure for the two configurations. This change from the configuration sequence outlined in the Proposers Guide results in part from delays caused by challenging weather conditions at the Array Operations Site during the 2011 winter.