NSF NRAO Showcases Breakthrough Radio Astronomy at AAS 247 in Phoenix

The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) will showcase its instruments, projects, and staff at the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, January 4-8th, 2026. Throughout the week, NSF NRAO leadership, staff, users, and research students will share new scientific results in a variety of presentations and press conferences, along with highlighting advances in radio astronomy technology in the exhibit hall.

The NSF NRAO, the NSF Green Bank Observatory (NSF GBO), the Central Development Laboratory (CDL), and Associated Universities, Inc. will showcase their latest research and technical developments throughout the AAS annual meeting. Attendees will have multiple opportunities to engage with NSF NRAO experts during the Grad School and REU Fair, conference sessions, the Town Hall, and at the expo booth.

NSF NRAO participation will emphasize outstanding science results from its facilities alongside cutting-edge instrumentation and engineering advances with the latest developments in projects like the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (ALMA WSU), the Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), and Next Generation Radar (ngRADAR).

The program will also feature press conferences aimed at bringing major discoveries in radio astronomy to the broader astronomical community and the public. These press conferences will be livestreamed on the AAS Press Office YouTube Channel. Participants and media are encouraged to connect with NRAO during and after the meeting for additional information about science results, observing opportunities, and collaborations.

Highlights include:

Session	Date	Time (MST)	Location
Grad School and REU Fair	Sunday, January 4	5:30pm to 7:00pm	301 C
AAS Press Office Press Conference Featuring VLA and GBT science results	Monday, January 5	10:15am	Room 129A of the North Building YouTube Live Stream
Advancing AI Infrastructure for Large Astronomy Datasets (CosmicAI partners)	Tuesday, January 6	2:00pm-3:30pm	232 A
AAS Press Office Press Conference Featuring ALMA science results	Tuesday, January 6	2:15pm	Room 129A of the North Building YouTube Live Stream
NRAO Town Hall	Tuesday, January 6	6:30pm to 8:30pm	301 C
The Highest Angular Resolution Frontier (Splinter)	Wednesday, January 7	10:00am-11:30am	126 C
Monitoring the transient sky: the role of ALMA in the WSU era	Wednesday, January 7	10:00am-12:00pm	225 B
AAS Press Office Press Conference Featuring ALMA science results	Wednesday, January 7	10:15am	Room 129A of the North Building YouTube Live Stream
AAS Press Office Press Conference Featuring VLA and ALMA science results	Wednesday, January 7	2:15pm	Room 129A of the North Building YouTube Live Stream
AAS Press Office Press Conference Featuring VLA and ALMA science results	Thursday, January 8	10:15am	Room 129A of the North Building YouTube Live Stream

Learn more about the NSF NRAO’s presence at the AAS conference at this science website.

About NRAO

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.