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When will my Cycle 2 project be scheduled? - Knowledgebase / General - ALMA Science

When will my Cycle 2 project be scheduled?

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ALMA is scheduled dynamically, and so it is not possible to know when a given Scheduling Block will be run. At the telescope, Scheduling Blocks (SBs) are selected from a queue of SBs that match the current conditions (weather, array configuration, target observability).  Execution priority is based on the projects’ assigned priority grade and Executive balance. All other things being equal, the project with the highest scientific rank will be observed.

During Cycle 2, science observations occur in 14 day blocks separated by 1 week for commissioning activities, less specific time periods devoted to special commissioning campaigns or engineering/computing time. On weekdays, science time normally extends from 4pm-9am local time, and on weekends there are 24hr observing periods. Science observations include observing PI projects, calibrator surveys, and array calibration observations.

Once Scheduling Blocks have been submitted, PIs (and PI delegates) can follow project activity using the Project Tracker, available off the Science Portal through the link Observing=>Project Tracker, or they may contact their Contact Scientist through the helpdesk.  As of Cycle 2, PIs (and PI delegates) have the ability to sign up for email notifications through their user profile in the science portal (login, click on your name in the upper right, and select "profile", then check the "Receive emails" button).  This will send an email notification to you (and anyone you delegate) whenever a component of a project is first observed, fully observed, or successfully processed.