Philip Diamond RadioNet Coordinator University of Manchester Jodrell Bank Observatory Overall Objectives MTR: 12 April 2007 Grenoble

RadioNet in 2003 RadioNet grew out of an FP5 Infrastructure Cooperation Network (also called Radionet); this in turn had its roots in the EVN, a ‘bottom-up’ organisation started in 1980 – radio astronomers have had to cooperate to perform VLBI. A quote from the original proposal: ‘ The general objective of RadioNet is to ensure that key developments in Radio Astronomy are supported on a European-wide basis, pooling together the broad range of skills, resources and expertise that exists within the RadioNet family, providing a critical mass that will ensure that progress is not made slowly in isolation but quickly and efficiently, via a broad-based, yet well-focused scientific and engineering collaboration.’

Objectives To provide an integrated radio astronomy network which will ensure that European scientists have access to world-class facilities; To provide an integrated research and development programme which will support and enhance European radio astronomy facilities; To develop a programme of networking activities which will ensure close European collaboration in engineering, software development and science. Networking in this manner will result in major enhancements that will not otherwise have been possible and will significantly strengthen all aspects of European radio astronomy; To train the next generation of astronomers to use the current state-of-the-art and future radio astronomy facilities; To train and nurture the next generation of engineers who will build the instruments of the future; To promote a common and unified approach to user support across the European radio facilities; To prepare for the next generation of world-class radio astronomy facilities through a wide discussion of their scientific motivation, through integrated research and development initiatives, and through the planning of the future structure of European radio astronomy; To strengthen the entire European astronomical community via the development of close and effective links with our partner I3s: OPTICON and EURO-VO.

Achieving Objectives The Networking Activities (NAs) were designed to achieve the specified goals: –NA2: Synergy – principle deliverable is NorthStar proposal tool, adopted by majority of RadioNet facilities, also promotes common high standard of user support –NA3, NA4: Science, Engineering Forum – two most successful activities – meetings on huge range of topics, from detailed engineering discussions to cosmic magnetism and radio astronomy from the Moon. Also nurturing of next generation through YERAC, EVN Symposia, interferometry schools etc. –NA6: ALMA Forum – provide link between traditional cm-wave radio and mm/submm, crucial as ALMA is under construction. –NA7: originally conceived as linking with Opticon, EURO-VO etc but has grown to encompass outreach, public education, SKA involvement and planning for the future of radio astronomy in Europe. –NA8: spectrum management – a crucial but unglamorous aspect of our work. Europe works better together than separately. JRAs designed to address key areas of development required to support and extend existing facilities – see next talks

Trans-National Access All major European facilities involved. See bottom row for frequency coverage. LOFAR will fill in some holes

Participants Number of participants, originally 20, grew to 24 in 2006 InstNATNAALBUSAMSTARPHAROSInstNATNAALBUSAMSTARPHAROS UMANKoln IRAMFG-IGN IRADelft JCMTESO JIVEUBir MPIfRESF AstronMecsa OSOCSIRO TorunUCam RALNRF SRONLOFAR OPARBord.