ATNF Telescope Proposals for 2026APR

Proposals for observing time are now invited for the 2026APR semester for the:

• ASKAP radio telescope;

• Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA); 

• Murriyang, our Parkes Radio Telescope 

• Tidbinbilla 70-m and 34-m antennas; and

• Long Baseline Array (VLBI).

The deadline for all proposals is 06:00 UT (17:00 Sydney local time) on Tuesday 16th December 2025.  All proposals must be submitted using the online proposal application system, OPAL (http://opal.atnf.csiro.au/).  Significant changes for the 2026APR semester are detailed here and include:

• cryoPAF and Murriyang: the expectation is that the receiver will return to the telescope at the end of November with commissioning of the basic science modes complete by the end of January. Shared-risk observing of the current proposals is expected to take place in February and March and we encourage full proposals for this 2026APR semester.

• Installation and commissioning of the full 8 GHz BIGCAT system on ATCA is currently underway. This means 4x2GHz bandwidth will be available for all projects (with the exception of L-band where the receiver is limited to 2 GHz bandwidth).  BIGCAT will be offered in a shared-risk observing mode for the upcoming semester while we continue to verify that BIGCAT is performing as expected.

Details of these changes and other important information on the current status of ATNF telescopes are provided at https://www.atnf.csiro.au/facilities/apply-for-time/telescope-status/

ATNF proposals are fully anonymised. Proposals that reveal applicant identities will be penalised by a reduction of scores or outright rejection for blatant breaches of anonymity (e.g. self-citations where the first author is listed by name). Please check under “Proposal Guidance” below.

AI Usage Policy: The ATNF permits the use of AI-based tools to assist in preparing proposals, provided they are used responsibly. AI services may be used to improve the clarity, readability, and presentation of proposal text. Proposers are fully responsible for the content of their submitted proposals and must ensure that all scientific content and arguments are accurate, original, and appropriately cited. 

For information on how to apply for ATNF telescope time see https://www.atnf.csiro.au/facilities/apply-for-time/applications/

For enquiries related to the proposal process or telescope availability, contact: george.hobbs@csiro.au

For problems with proposal submissions, contact atnf-opal@csiro.au

George Hobbs

ATNF Head of Science

Received this email at the wrong address? Login to OPAL then use the "Update your details" link in the left menu to update your email address.