ALMA has reached a new record. Astronomers from almost all over the world worked against the clock to present their observation proposals on time for the new cycle that begins in October this year and ends in September 2018.

By the final deadline at 15:00 UT of April 20, 1,712 proposals had been received. Now begins the filtering process, removing duplicated applications or those with errors, and we will soon know the final number. The science ranking process will be done in Antwerp, Belgium, between June 18-23.

ALMA staff follows firsthand the submission of proposals for Cycle 5 in a room especially equipped for the occasion.
Credit: R. Bennett – ALMA (NRAO/NAOJ/ESO)

The proposals selected will have access to 56 ALMA antennas to search the Universe – 46 12-meter antennas and 10 7-meter antennas – in addition to bands 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. They will also have access to a maximum angular resolution of 0,018 arcseconds using 16 km of baseline.

This map shows the location from which each observation proposal was submitted.
Credit: ALMA (NRAO/NAOJ/ESO)