Erik Rosolowsky (U Alberta), Joan Wrobel (NRAO)

In April, the ngVLA prototype antenna achieved first light by taking observations independently, and also in collaboration with the NSF VLA. First light marks the 18m prototype antenna’s transition from construction by the contractors to astronomical testing by staff of the NSF NRAO. Quoting the press release from NSF NRAO:

“First light from the ngVLA prototype antenna is a real world demonstration of the engineering progress required to build America’s — and the World’s — next great radio astronomy facility,” said Tony Beasley, Director of NSF NRAO and AUI Vice President for Radio Astronomy Operations. “This milestone reflects the leadership and expertise we’ve tapped into amongst NRAO staff, our contractors, and the U.S. and international scientific community.”

In June, members of the NAASC and the ngVLA SAC hosted a special lunchtime CASCA session. This session included introductions to these two facilities, followed by an update on the scope, capabilities and timeline of the ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade and the ngVLA’s current status and paths to Canadian partnership. Both ALMA and ngVLA were prioritized in the 2020 Canadian Long Range Plan for Astronomy. NAASC Development Scientist Jennifer Donovan Meyer spoke about the WSU, and NAASC member and ngVLA SAC co-chair Brenda Matthews spoke about the ngVLA project.

In April, the ngVLA Exposure Calculator Tool (ECT) was updated to default to using the latest array configuration design, Revision F <https://ngvla.nrao.edu/page/array-config>. Users can now also select between configuration revisions (Revision F and Revision D are currently available) to compare exposure calculations. The user interface to the ECT was also enhanced to restrict inputs to allowed ranges based on the current reference design. The updated ECT is available and there is a way to provide feedback.

The recent revolution in AI is fundamentally changing how astronomers observe, explore, analyze, and model astronomical data. From July 14 to 16, 2026 this conference will bring together researchers who are actively developing and applying AI/ML methods in astronomy. Conference priorities include:

• Recent advances at the intersection of AI and Astronomy and AI-powered progress towards understanding our cosmic origins, from cosmology to habitability.
• Methodologies to increase the trustworthiness, robustness, interpretability, and efficiency of AI applications in astronomy.
• Preparation for the big-data challenges posed by next-generation observing facilities and approaches for analyzing high-dimensional data. Connections with industry and the parts of the private sector that are also actively researching AI for operational processes.
• Use of AI in proposal preparation, reviews, and paper writing.

Registration will close and the final program will be released on June 29.

As the ngVLA project advances toward its next phase of development, it is timely to consolidate and expand the international science community, refine key science drivers, and explore synergies with other major observatories and space missions. From November 10 to 13, 2026, this conference will bring together experts from a broad range of fields to share compelling science cases, identify new opportunities, and foster collaborations that will further strengthen the momentum of this next-generation facility. A conference website will soon be available.

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