Enabling New ALMA Science with Improved Support for Time-Domain Observations


Abstract in English

While the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is a uniquely powerful telescope, its impact in certain fields of astrophysics has been limited by observatory policies rather than the telescopes innate technical capabilities. In particular, several observatory policies present challenges for observations of variable, mobile, and/or transient sources --- collectively referred to here as time-domain observations. In this whitepaper we identify some of these policies, describe the scientific applications they impair, and suggest changes that would increase ALMAs science impact in Cycle 6 and beyond. Parties interested in time-domain science with ALMA are encouraged to join the ALMA Time-domain Special Interest Group (ATSIG) by signing up for the ATSIG mailing list at https://groups.google.com/group/alma-td-sig .

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