Coffee talks
Wednesday 18/02/2026 @ 14:30, Sala riunioni quarto piano e on-line (meet.google.com/sue-bwvk-axf)
Ciriaco Goddi (UniCA), "VAPOLA: Science-ready ALMA polarimetric data for AGN and Sgr A* in the VLBI era"
ALMA plays a key role in global millimeter VLBI experiments, such as the EHT, by providing unmatched sensitivity through its phased-array mode. However, the calibration and analysis of ALMA data acquired during VLBI campaigns are technically demanding and often limit broader scientific exploitation. In this seminar we will present VAPOLA (VLBI AGN POLarization data with ALMA), the first online repository of science-ready, multi-epoch and multi-band ALMA data products obtained during global VLBI observations of AGN and Sgr A*. VAPOLA is based on an automated pipeline that transforms fully calibrated ALMA data into high-level products, including full-Stokes images, calibrated visibilities, polarization and spectral-index maps, source-integrated polarimetric parameters, as well as millimeter emission light curves and spectra, all accessible through a user-friendly web interface. By lowering the technical barrier for interferometry and polarization non-experts, VAPOLA enables a wide range of studies, from magnetic fields in accretion flows and relativistic jets to molecular absorption in AGN tori and Galactic Center science, while also providing valuable inputs for VLBI calibration and modeling efforts. After the seminar, we will also showcase the VAPOLA web portal, with a short live demonstration of the public repository, highlighting the available data products, search and filtering tools, data selection, and download options.