An I3 funded by the EU through FP6 Alastair G Gunn University of Manchester Jodrell Bank Observatory OPTICON BOARD MEETING – 11 th /12 th October 2004, Grenoble RadioNet: Advanced Radio Astronomy in Europe

RadioNet Partners & Mission RadioNet has 20 partners: all of the major radio astronomy facilities and the laboratories involved in technology development Coordinated by the University of Manchester, UK Remit is to support the European radio astronomy community and to enhance the European radio astronomy facilities RadioNet was awarded €12.4M

The Telescopes & Trans-National Access 1 Europe has some of the largest and most sophisticated radio telescopes on Earth. These facilities are working together more closely than ever under the RadioNet umbrella.

Telescopes: –European VLBI Network (EVN) is the most sensitive VLBI array on Earth. Has three telescopes in m class and more are being built – 64-m in Sardinia, IT (2006), 40-m at Yebes, ES (2004); –IRAM: runs Plateau de Bure (FR) (progenitor of ALMA) and Pico Veleta (ES: largest mm dish in world); –JCMT in Hawaii, largest sub-mm capable dish in the world; –MERLIN: UK’s 7-telescope array, has the same resolution in the radio as the HST; being upgraded using fibre optic cables. –MPIfR – Effelsberg (DE) 100-m; 2 nd largest steerable dish in the world; –OSO-20m; highly capable mm dish in Sweden; –WSRT – recently upgraded, 14 –element interferometer in NL The Telescopes & Trans-National Access 2

Science with RadioNet Facilities: MERLIN & EVN MERLIN is the UK’s radio imaging camera: provides radio images with the same level of detail as the Hubble Space Telescope does in the optical MERLIN image of nearby galaxy M82 shows ~50 bright spots  supernovae The European VLBI Network (EVN) provides a zoom capability for more detailed studies of these supernovae M82: MERLIN

Science with RadioNet Facilities: WSRT Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) in the Netherlands is the premier instrument for studies of HI, the most abundant material in the Universe. Optical image of M31 compared with WSRT image of HI in the same galaxy. HI Optical

Science with RadioNet Facilities: JCMT James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii, with SCUBA, has demonstrated the power of sub- mm science. Has been a crucial pathfinder for the Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA). Cosmology. Observe dusty, star-forming galaxies in early Universe. SCUBA has found > 100 sub-mm galaxies. Star-formation: SCUBA probes through the obscuring dust/gas to reveal the details underneath Planets: SCUBA shows us a dusty debris disk around Epsilon Eridani

RadioNet Joint Research Activities (JRAs) RadioNet has three JRAS, developing the future technology and software for radio astronomy: –ALBUS: Advanced Long-Baseline User Software developing advanced software for interferometers –AMSTAR: Advanced mm and sub-mm Technology for Astronomical Research developing new mm-wave devices –PHAROS: Phased Arrays for Reflector Observing Systems developing focal plane phased-arrays These developments will be crucial for the construction of ALMA and the SKA. ALMA SKA

RadioNet has six NAs, linking the scientists, engineers and the next generation of researchers: - Synergy integrating facility access across Europe - Science Workshops and Training Group dissemination of science and the training of young researchers - European Radio Astronomy Engineering Forum forum for RadioNet engineers - Software & Users Forum forum for software developers and users - ALMA Forum maximise European potential from ALMA - Astronomy across Europe linking the community - Radio Frequency Management solutions to radio frequency interference RadioNet Networking Activities (NAs)

RadioNet Mid-Year Report available on website Good progress has been made in all areas in the 1 st year of RadioNet Five RadioNet-funded science meetings have been held in Dense Molecular Gas around Protostars and Galactic Nuclei - Exploring the Cosmic Frontier: Astrophysical Instruments for the 21 st Century - Multiwavelength Approaches to AGNs - 7 th EVN Symposium - Young European Radio Astronomers Conference (YERAC) 2 nd RadioNet Board Meeting to be held at JBO on 17 th November 2004 RadioNet Highlights

RadioNet is not enough! the future of radio astronomy in Europe seems to require a legal organisation, or ‘foundation’, that is small and efficient but draws on the skills of other institutes Coordinated Outreach Programmes RadioNet would like to collaborate more closely with OPTICON and ILIAS in outreach programmes I3 Forum (12 th November 2004, Brussels) RadioNet would like to ask OPTICON whether they consider that, under FP7, there are benefits to be had from a joint, spectrum-wide astronomy proposal Strategic Issues