Two Virtual Science Series Available for Viewing

Eric Murphy, Karen Prairie, and Joan Wrobel
National Radio Astronomy Observatory

The Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) project recently sponsored two virtual science talk series that are available for viewing.

A virtual Multi-Messenger Mini-Conference was held 14-15 July 2020. Its recorded presentations and Q&A sessions covered topics pivotal to the future of multi-messenger astronomy. Presenters focused on current progress, future directions, and how to best use the suite of multi-messenger facilities through the 2020s and beyond. The presenter lineup was primarily organized by Nicole Lloyd-Ronning (Los Alamos) and Tom Maccarone (Texas Tech). Over 850 individuals, predominantly graduate students, registered (see chart). Almost 650 individuals representing 40+ countries attended one or both days. The conference presentations have already accrued 150+ views.

A weekly virtual ngVLA Summer Short Talk Series ran from 25 June to 10 September 2020. The recorded presentations and Q&A exchanges discussed key science questions and their connection to present and future observing facilities at all wavelengths. The presenter lineup was organized by thengVLA Science Advisory Council, led by co-chairs Alberto Bolatto (Maryland) and Andrea Isella (Rice). A total of 768 individuals from 47 countries attended one or more presentations. The average attendance at each meeting included over 200 participants, ranging between 150-380, and represented well over 100 institutions. A large percentage of participants were graduate students. As of 13 September 2020, there were over 817 additional views of the talks online.

While the pandemic has blocked our ability to host in-person meetings, the pivot to virtual meetings has enabled us to engage a larger, more diverse global audience. The recordings of these virtual events provide a lasting legacy for the scientific community and the public.