Lessons learned from cm-wave interferometry Interferometry analysis is less straightforward than single aperture analysis. Astronomers need ‘support’. Need access to a skilled group of users/support scientists. Need skilled personnel to answer /phone questions in the same timezone. New users need physical access to a ‘centre’ – not a network. Experienced users will use a centre at intervals to ‘top-up’ their knowledge, talk to instrument experts, learn about new software and new techniques. Users require easily accessible archive Useful to have software development remote from the telescope

Role of an ALMA Regional Support Centre Proposal assistance –Advice on scientific/technical capabilities of ALMA –Preparation assistance; receipt of proposals, distribution for review; liaison with TAC –Offer support for phase 2 proposal preparation Imaging and analysis – provision of high-level computing resources –Image generated by pipeline is not the final image. User may change FOV, spatial resolution, spectral resolution……… –Will need to perform image analysis, extract the science etc. The archive (U.Man/UMIST/ESO developing ALMA archive) –Will maintain a copy of, and control access to, the archive –Provide long-term array quality control via user feedback –Access to archive via AVO Developments –Should be the focus for software development: archives, pipelines etc –No fire-fighting, able to take longer term view of software development Training/EPO –Schools, outreach, newsletters etc.

UK Expression of interest UK ALMA SAC suggested Manchester (JBO) as RSC location Experience: –~20 years experience of interferometric user support –Enormous experience of interferometry software (closure phase, self-cal, difference mapping, AIPS calibration) –mm-wave experience, strong connection with U.Cam, UMIST, ROE, ATC etc groups + European groups –Developing generic radio archive (ALMA, AVO). Collaboration with NRAO. e-MERLIN will produce 0.5TB/day, parallel processing. –Member of aips++ consortium –Strong record of training astronomers thru interferometry schools etc. –Strong JBO-ALMA link : archive, fibre optics, data transmission Infrastructure: –e-MERLIN success / merger with UMIST  new building –e-MERLIN  massive GRID (AstroGRID) presence with fibre-optic connections –Easy communications with Europe, 20 mins from major airport –Combine ALMA RSC with e-MERLIN support centre and possibly SKA