General Information

The Science Verification Process

Science Verification (SV) is the process by which we demonstrate that ALMA is capable of producing data of the quality required for scientific analysis, i.e. data good enough to be included in the peer-reviewed literature, and by which we fully test all observing modes expected to be available during Early Science (ES). This is achieved by making observations of a small number of selected astronomical objects. This work has been taking place since early 2011 (see Table 4 below). We took the very first SV data-sets with as few as seven 12-m antennas but the results were nevertheless encouraging. Today, all 66 antennas have been delivered - 54 12-m antennas and 12 7-m antennas in the Atacama Compact Array (ACA; Morita Array), which also comprises up to 4 of the 12-m antennas for total power observations. Currently, we typically observe with at least 34 12-m antennas in the 12-m ALMA array, up to 12 antennas in the 7-m ACA array, and at least two 12-m antennas for total power. This means of course that the observations that we are making now should all have good image quality and excellent sensitivity.

 

Verification and Demonstration of ALMA Capabilities

Until June 2012 SV focused on reproducing results that had already been obtained with other telescopes. Projects were chosen, via an informal “Call for Suggestions” from the astronomical community, based on the criteria of being the most suitable for testing specific Early Science (ES) observing modes and availability of existing comparable data, rather than those with the highest potential science impact. With the new capabilities that have become available from the Cycle 1 period onwards this approach became increasingly less feasible. Instead we now carry out a set of observations of a small number of specific objects chosen to demonstrate specific capabilities expected to be offered for future ES Cycles. As ALMA capabilities have now entered new parameter space, targets may not necessarily have existing directly comparable data taken with other telescopes. As has been the practice thus far, the reduced and calibrated datasets will be made available to the community for download as soon as the data have been successfully collected, reduced, and verified.

 

Collecting, reducing and releasing the data

SV observations are carried out as part of Extension and Optimization of Capabilities (EOC; formerly Commissioning and Science Verification) activities, which currently take place on an alternating schedule with ES observations. There are some planned breaks in the schedule, in particular a shutdown of operations during the month of February (the Altiplanic winter), and partial shutdowns for essential activities such as, for example, planned upgrades to the correlator or power systems. From 1 September to 30 November 2014 there was an uninterrupted period of EOC activity while we carried out the ALMA Long Baseline Campaign. Early Science observations re-started in December 2014.

The lists of targets below include an estimate of when it is expected that the observations will be made and/or when the data is anticipated to be released. The scheduling of SV observations is, however, necessarily flexible and the time needed to collect sufficient good-quality data and reduce and perform verification on it will vary considerably from target to target, so the dates given here are subject to change. Some data releases will happen more quickly than others.

The results of SV observations are made public via the ALMA Science Portal, with no waiting period, as soon as satisfactory observations and data reduction have been achieved. As of October 2012, each new release of data has been accompanied by an announcement on the ALMA Science Portal two weeks prior to release, as well as an announcement on the release date itself. Due to the nature of SV, the data released may not cover all the aspects listed below and, as already noted, some targets may not be observed at all. We also note that some data files released may be rather large so downloading and reducing them will take patience.

In order to reduce and/or analyze the ALMA data, the Common Astronomy Software Applications (CASA) package is used. Some targets are released with accompanying CASA Guides for the latest CASA version release (currently CASA 4.3). Feedback on the data and on the CASA software is always welcome.

SV data is reduced by staff members of the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO) and the ALMA Regional Centers (ARCs), and the process is coordinated by the JAO.

 

Science Verification Targets

Six lists of SV targets are shown below. They are those which demonstrate:

• Proposed (2023) Band 1 SV targets
• Proposed (2016) Band 5 SV targets 
• The high angular resolution capability during the 2014 ALMA Long Baseline Campaign (Table 1)
• Cycle 2 capabilities (Table 2)
• Cycle 1 capabilities (Table 3)
• Capabilities prior to June 2012 (i.e. pre-Cycle 1) and publicly released by October 2012 (Table 4).

 

In these tables we list the targets, positions, observing bands and the currently anticipated timeline for the observations and/or data release. They are listed by the principal capability being demonstrated, but may suitable for verification of more than one capability. Click on the links for more details. Once released, a link to the dataset on the ALMA Science Portal will appear in the Status column.

Note that we did not expect to observe all the targets in Table 3. In most cases several possible objects were listed that were suitable for demonstrating a capability because we could not be sure which target would be available at the time when we were ready to make the observations. During the Cycle 1 period, commissioning of additional capabilities continued, so some observations of these objects will have included post-Cycle 1 capabilities such as longer baselines, more advanced observing modes and new receiver bands.

The targets that were listed at the time of the Cycle 0 Call for Proposals and were used to demonstrate the early (pre-Cycle 1) capabilities of ALMA and publicly released (up to October 2012) are shown in Table 4. They are organized by the main capability that was being verified (though obviously in many cases several capabilities were involved). All observations were carried out with the 12-m array. In some cases these targets were observed before 16 antennas were available and while many of the subsystems were still being tested, so they should not be construed to represent the quality of the data that can be expected from the system as it is today. They are provided here as a means for the user to become acquainted with the ALMA data structure, observing strategies and reduction techniques. Given that the data were taken during the construction phase, there may be more idiosyncrasies present than will be expected during full operations, so we ask the user to please review carefully the CASA guides provided with the datasets that represent unique observing modes or strategies.

The more recent SV targets (Table 1 / Table 2) are part of more focused campaigns than those that resulted in previous SV targets, and so the target lists are more concise. The addition of new planned SV targets is now announced via a news item on the ALMA Science Portal. In the specific case that targets of opportunity such as comets or transients are needed to test specific capabilities, data may be taken that is identical in purpose to SV but in this case there may be no opportunity to go through the normal process of announcing the targets in advance. However, the procedure for releasing target of opportunity SV data is identical to all other SV data. We will continue to confirm our ability to observe transient sources, so we do appreciate further suggestions for targets appropriate for those observations.

 

Capabilities demonstrated in 2023

 

The Band 1 receivers

Targets:

• W51: observations of the SO2, SiO, CS, and CH3OH lines as well as the continuum to demonstrate the imaging capability with ~2” angular resolution.
• Orion KL: spectral scan between 35.1 and 49.55 GHz to demonstrate the new science capabilities for molecular line surveys and chemistry using Band 1 and to demonstrate the ability of obtaining and properly calibrating spectral scans across the band.

The listed SV targets are announced in ALMA Science Portal on 16 March New Targets for Science Verification: Band 1 news article.

 

Capabilities demonstrated in 2016

 

The Band 5 receivers

Targets:

• Arp 220: observations of the H2O line to demonstrate the ability to calibrate the water line across a broad frequency range in the wings of the atmospheric absorption at 183GHz.
• Sgr B2: spectral scan between 160 and 211 GHz to demonstrate the new science capabilities for molecular line surveys and chemistry using Band 5 and to demonstrate the ability of obtaining and properly calibrating spectral scans across the varying atmospheric absorption.

• U Her, W Hya, or VY CMa to demonstrate the ability for spectral line polarization observations of the water line in Band 5.

The listed SV targets are announced in ALMA Science Portal on 29 June New Targets for Science Verification: Band 5 news article.

 

The 2014 ALMA Long Baseline Campaign

The 2014 ALMA Long Baseline Campaign took place from 1 September to 30 November 2014. Its aim was to verify and demonstrate the high angular resolution capability of ALMA on baselines up to ~10 km, as usual by carrying out a set of SV observations specifically chosen to demonstrate the high angular resolution capability. The five SV targets are listed in Table 1. The scope of the campaign originally included demonstrating capabilities at frequencies only up to Band 6. However, due to the successful progress of the campaign we expanded the scope of the capabilities demonstrated to include Band 7 for two of the five targets. Details can be found in the News Items on the ALMA Science Portal.

We are currently completing the data reduction and verification of the Long Baseline SV targets. Once the verification and validation process is complete, the SV data and CASA guides/scripts will be publicly released on the ALMA Science Portal.

The release date of 17 February 2015 for four of the targets (see Table 1) was announced on the ALMA Science Portal on 2 February. The final installment of the data release will also be announced on the ALMA Science Portal two weeks in advance.

 

Table 1 - Long Baseline Campaign Targets

Target	Coordinates	Band	Arrays	Requirement	Status
Long Baselines
Juno	ephemeris	6; continuum	12-m	Ephemeris target	Released on 17 February 2015.
Mira	02:19:20.79 -02:58:39.5	3 & 6; SiO lines & continuum	12-m		Released on 17 February 2015.
HL Tau	04:31:38.45 +18:13:59.0	3, 6 & 7; CO line & continuum	12-m		Released on 17 February 2015.
3C 138	05:21:09.9 +16:38:22	3 & 6; continuum	12-m	Polarization target	Observed. Data taking complete. Data reduction and verification underway. Data release anticipated for early March 2015.
SDP.81 (HATLAS J090311.6+003906)	09:03:11.61 +00:39:06.7	4, 6 & 7; CO line, H2O line, continuum	12-m		Released on 17 February 2015.

 

 

 

Long Baseline Target - Juno

• Juno is an asteroid that is often used for ALMA calibrations.
• Band 6 spectral setup: four TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows centred at 224.0, 226.0, 240.0 and 242.0 GHz.
• Capability demonstrated: 10km baselines in Band 6. The long baseline capability for ephemeris targets.

 

Long Baseline Target - Mira

• Mira (J2000 02:19:20.79 -02:58:39.5). Mira is a well-studied AGB star and is a prototypical Mira variable.
• Band 3 spectral setup: three TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows centred at 100.21, 98.25 and 88.20 GHz. Four 61 kHz channel width spectral windows centred at 85.60, 85.76, 86.24 and 86.85 GHz.
• Band 6 spectral setup: one TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral window centred at 229.6 GHz, four 0.122 MHz channel width spectral windows centred at 214.38, 214.09, 215.59 and 217.10 GHz, two 61 kHz channel width spectral windows centred at 232.69 and 231.90 GHz.
• Capability demonstrated: 10km baselines in Bands 3 & 6. Demonstration of similar-resolution (~0.06'' for a ~10km baseline configuration) imaging at two frequencies (Bands 3 and 6) in a mixed mode spectral setup (demonstrating both spectral line and continuum). With a proper motion of 240 mas/yr it will also provide an astrometric test.
• Example references: Ramstedt et al., 2014, arXiv:1410.1529; Cotton et al, 2008, A&A, 477, 853; Reid & Menten, 2007, ApJ, 671, 2068

 

Long Baseline Target - HL Tau

• HL Tau (J2000 04:31:38.45 +18:13:59.0). HL Tau is a young star with a circumstellar disk.
• Band 3 CO/CN spectral setup: two 61 kHz channel width spectral windows centred at 115.26 and 113.49 GHz and two TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows centred at 102.91 and 101.10 GHz.
• Band 3 HCN/HCO+ spectral setup: two 61 kHz channel width spectral windows centred at 88.63 and 89.19 GHz and three TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows centred at 90.8, 100.8 and 102.8 GHz.
• Band 6 spectral setup: four TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows centred at 224.0 ,226.0, 240.0, 242.0 GHz.
• Band 7 spectral setup: four TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows centred at 336.5, 338.4, 348.5, 350.5 GHz.
• Capability demonstrated: 10km baselines in Bands 3, 6 & 7 (continuum and spectral line). Demonstration of similar-resolution (~0.06'' for a ~10km baseline configuration) imaging at two frequencies (Bands 3 and 6). Higher frequency (Band 7) observations at long baselines.
• Example references: Greaves et al. 2008, MNRAS, 391, 74; Kwon et al. 2011, ApJ, 741.

 

Long Baseline Target - 3C 138

• 3C 138 (J2000 05:21:09.9 +16:38:22). 3C 138 is a strongly polarized (12%) quasar.
• Spectral setup: continuum spectral windows centred at the standard Band 3 & 6 frequencies.
• Capability demonstrated: 10km baselines in Bands 3 & 6. Demonstration of similar-resolution (~0.06'' for a ~10km baseline configuration) imaging at two frequencies (Bands 3 and 6) in a continuum spectral setup.
• Example references: Akujor et al, 1993, A&A, 274, 752.

 

Long Baseline Target - SDP.81

• SDP.81 / HATLAS J090311.6+003906 (J2000 09:03:11.61 +00:39:06.7) is a high-z (z~3), lensed, ultra-luminous starburst galaxy first detected in the Herschel-ATLAS Survey (Eales et al. 2010, PASP, 122, 499).
• Band 4 spectral setup: one  0.976 MHz channel width spectral window centred at 142.641 GHz to cover the redshifted CO J=5-4 line (576.267 GHz rest frequency) plus three TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows for continuum centred at 144.6, 154.7 and 156.4 GHz.
• Band 6 spectral setup: one 0.976 or 1.95 MHz spectral window centred at 244.5 GHz to cover the redshifted H2O line (987.9 GHz rest frequency). Three TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows centred at 228.0, 230.0 and 243.0 GHz, which includes the redshifted CO J=8-7 line (921. 8 GHz rest frequency).
• Band 7 spectral setup: three TDM (15.6 MHz channel width) spectral windows centred at 282.935, 294.935 and 296.935 GHz and one 1.95 MHz channel width spectral window centred at 284.872 GHz. This setup covers the redshifted CO J=10-9 line (1151.985 GHz rest frequency).
• Capability demonstrated: 10km baselines in Bands 4, 6 & 7. Demonstration of similar-resolution imaging at two frequencies (Bands 4 and 6) in a mixed mode spectral setup (demonstrating both spectral line and continuum.) Higher frequency (Band 7) observations at long baselines.
• Example references: Omont et al. 2013, A&A, 551, 115.

 

 

Table 2 - Cycle 2 Targets

Target	Coordinates (J2000)	Band	Arrays	Requirements	Status
Polarization
3c286	13:31:08.3 +30:30:33.0	6, continuum	12-m	Polarization	Observed. Data reduction and verification underway. Data release will include a CASA guide.
Band 4
IRAS16293-2422	16:32:23 -24:28:36	4, CH3CN, CH3OH	12-m		Observed. Data reduction and verification underway.
Band 8
NGC3256	10:27:51 -43:54:18	8, CO(4-3)	12-m		Observed. Data reduction and verification underway.
Ephemeris
Comet C/2012 F6 (Lemmon)	ephemeris	6, HCN(3-2)	12-m	Ephemeris target with spectral line emission	Released

 

 

 

Table 3 - Cycle 1 Targets (since June 2012)

Target	Coordinates (J2000)	Band	Arrays	Requirements	Status
High Angular Resolution
Water masers	multiple	7,9	12-m	Long Baselines	VY CMa data released
G34.26+0.15	18:53:18.6 +01:14:58	9	12-m+ACA	Long Baselines	Not observed. We no longer plan to observe this target.
Ephemeris
Mars	ephemeris	3,6,7	12-m+ACA+SD		Observed. Assessment of data quality and release potential under investigation.
Comet Garradd	ephemeris	3	12-m		Not observed. We no longer plan to observe this target.
Spectral modes
CB54	07:04:20.9 -16:23:20	7	12-m	Software R9.1.1	Not observed. We no longer plan to observe this target.
Imaging extended structure
VV114/IC1623	01:07:47.2 -17:30:25	9	12-m+ACA		Observed. This target was observed but no data of suitable quality for release was obtained.
RXCJ1347-1145	13:47:31.2 -11:45:15	3	12-m+ACA		Initial observations carried out. Assessment of data quality and release potential under investigation.
Lambda Orionis	05:31:22 +12:05:00	3	12-m+ACA+SD	Software R9.1.1	Not observed. We no longer plan to observe this target.
Large Mosaics
HR3126/IC2220	07:56:50.9 -59:07:33	3	12-m+ACA+SD	Software R9.1.1	Not observed. We no longer plan to observe this target.
M16 (The Eagle Nebula)	18:18:52.7 -13:50:09	6	12-m+ACA+SD	Software R9.1.1	Initial observations carried out. Assessment of data quality and release potential under investigation.
NGC1512/10	04:03:54.3 -43:20:56	3	12-m+ACA+SD	Software R9.1.1	Observed. This target was observed but no data of suitable quality for release was obtained.
Multi-field interferometry
Fornax Cluster	multiple, ~RA 03h Dec -35	3	12-m+ACA	Software R9.1.1	Not observed. We no longer plan to observe this target.
Chamaeleon	multiple, ~RA 11h Dec -77	6	12-m	Software R9.1.1	Not observed. We no longer plan to observe this target.

 

 

Table 4 - Targets Prior to June 2012

Target	Coordinates (J2000)	Band	Transition	Corr Res[1]	Cycle	Status	Reference	CASA guide?
Ephemeris
Io Atmosphere	ephemeris	7	SO, SO2 (B7)	FDM	0 / 1	Observed[2]	Moullet et al. 2010
Uranus, Neptune	ephemeris	6,7	CO,H2S,HCN, continuum	FDM	0 / 1	Observed (Uranus Band 7)[2]	Hofstadter et al. 2009, Moullet et al (in prep)
Mosaics
Centaurus A	13:25:27 -43:01:08	6,7	CO(2-1), (3-2)	FDM	0 / 1	Released (band 6)	Espada et al (2009, 2010)
M100 / NGC 5247	multiple, 12-13h	3	CO(1-0)	TDM	0 / 1	Released (M100)[3]	Helfer et al. 2003	See [3].
NGC 4038/9	12:01:53 -18:52:38	3,6,7	CO(1-0), (2-1), (3-2)	FDM	0 / 1	Released	Ueda et al (in prep), Wilson et al 2000	Band 7 CASA guide
High Spectral Resolution
TW Hydra	11:01:51 -34:42:17	3,6,7,9	CO, HCO+, HCN etc	FDM	0	Released (bands 3,6,7)	Qi et al. 2004, 2006, 2008; Hughes et al. 2011	Band 7 CASA guide
IRAS16293-2422	16:32:23 -24:28:36	6,9	multiple	FDM	0 / 1	Released	Bisschop et al. 2008, Yeh et al. 2008, Jorgensen et al. 2011	Band 9 CASA guide
High Resolution Spectral Survey
Orion (BN/KL and OMC1)	05:35:14 -05:22:23	3,6,7,9	spectral survey	FDM	0 / 1	Released	Beuther et al. (2004, 2005,2006) Wright et al. 1996, Blake et al. 1995
Low Spectral Resolution
NGC3256	10:27:51 -43:54:18	3	CO(1-0)	TDM	0 / 1	Released	Sakamoto, Ho & Peck, 2006	Band 3 CASA guide
Mixed Modes
HD163296	17:56:21 -21:57:22	6,7,9	multiple	FDM	0	Released (bands 3,6)	Hughes et al. (2008, 2011), Qi et al (2006, 2011)
Band 9 Imaging
Arp220	15:34:57 23:30:11	6,7,9	CO(2-1), (3-2), (6-5)	FDM	0 / 1	Observed[2]	Sakamoto et al (1999, 2008, 2009), Matsushita et al 2009, Martin et al 2010
High-z
BR1202-0725	12:05:23 -07:42:32	7	[C II]	TDM	0 / 1	Released	Iono et al 2006
Recombination Lines
Sgr A*	17:45:40 -29:00:28	3,6	recomb. lines, 12CO(2-1)	FDM	0	Released (bands 3,6)	Kunneriath et al 2011, Zhao et al 2010
Not observed: these were on the original list but not observed (we no longer plan to observe them)
Lensed SMGs J1/J2	14:01:05 02:52:23	7	CO(3-2), cont.	TDM	0 / 1	Not observed	Frayer et al (1998, 1999), Weiss et al. 2009, Wardlow et al. 2010
NGC6334I	17:20:53 -35:46:58	3	CO, HCO+, HCN	FDM	0	Not observed	Hunter et al. 2006, Beuther et al. 2007
HH114mms	05:18:15 07:12:00	3			0	Not observed
R CrA Cloud Core	19:01:53 -36:57:21	?	HCO+(3-2)	FDM	0	Not observed	Groppi et al 2007, Chen and Arce, 2010
HD 107146	12:19:07 16:32:54	6,7	cont.	TDM	0	Not observed	Corder et al. 2009, Hughes et al. (in prep)

[1] The observations were made in single-field interferometry or small mosaic modes, generally using dual polarization with 4 basebands of 1.875 GHz each with either high spectral resolution (FDM - ~1 MHz) or low spectral resolution (TDM - ~30 MHz). For some objects a higher resolution mode was used to match that of the comparison data.

[2] This target was observed but no data suitable for release was obtained.

[3] Additional, ACA and Single-Dish, observations and data reduction underway. A CASA guide describing the combination of ACA and SD data with the already released 12-m array data is in preparation. Data/guide release anticipated for January 2014.