The Development of High-Resolution Imaging in Radio Astronomy
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The Global Jet Structure of the Archetypical Quasar 3C 273
galaxies Article The Global Jet Structure of the Archetypical Quasar 3C 273 Kazunori Akiyama 1,2,3,*, Keiichi Asada 4, Vincent L. Fish 2 ID , Masanori Nakamura 4, Kazuhiro Hada 3 ID , Hiroshi Nagai 3 and Colin J. Lonsdale 2 1 National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 520 Edgemont Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA 2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Haystack Observatory, 99 Millstone Rd, Westford, MA 01886, USA; vfi[email protected] (V.L.F.); [email protected] (C.J.L.) 3 National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, 2-21-1 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588, Japan; [email protected] (K.H.); [email protected] (H.N.) 4 Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica, P.O. Box 23-141, Taipei 10617, Taiwan; [email protected] (K.A.); [email protected] (M.N.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 16 September 2017; Accepted: 8 January 2018; Published: 24 January 2018 Abstract: A key question in the formation of the relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is the collimation process of their energetic plasma flow launched from the central supermassive black hole (SMBH). Recent observations of nearby low-luminosity radio galaxies exhibit a clear picture of parabolic collimation inside the Bondi accretion radius. On the other hand, little is known of the observational properties of jet collimation in more luminous quasars, where the accretion flow may be significantly different due to much higher accretion rates. In this paper, we present preliminary results of multi-frequency observations of the archetypal quasar 3C 273 with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 1.4, 15, and 43 GHz, and Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) at 1.6 GHz. -
Multidisciplinary Use of the J Very Long Baseline Array
PE84-16~690 Multidisciplinary Use of the j Very Long Baseline Array Proceedings of a Workshop REPRODUCED BY NATIONAL TECHNICAL NAS INFORMATION SERVICE us DEPAR1MENl OF COMMERCE NAE .. SPRINGFiElD, VA. 22161 10M 50272 ·101 REPORT DOCUMENTATION \1. REPORT NO. PAGE 4. TItle end Subtitle 50 Report Dete Multidisciplinary Use of the Very Long Baseline Array .. Februarv 1984 7. Author(l) L Performln. O...nlutlon Rept. No. 9. Performlna O...nlutlon Neme end Add.... 10. ProJKt/Tuk/Wort! Unit No. National Research Council 11. Contrect(C2 or Gr.nt(G) No. Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and DMA800-M0366/P Resources ~MDA903-83-M-5896/P i (G)AST-8303119 2101 Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20418 ~NA 83AAA02632/P 12. Sponsor1na O..enlutlon Neme end Add_ 11. Type of Report & Period Covered National Science Foundation Final Report. National Aeronautics and Space Administration 11/01/82-3/31/84 Defense Mapping Agency 14. NOAA National Geodetic Survev , Defense Adv. Res. Proj. 15. Supplementer)' Notes . Agency 16. Abltreet (Umlt 200 words) The National Research Council organized a workshop to gather together experts in very long baseline interferometry, astronomy, space navigation, general relativity and the earth sciences,. The purpose of the workshop was to provide a forum for consideration of the various possible multi disciplinary uses of the very long baseline array. Geophysical investigations received major attention. Geodesic uses of the very long baseline array were identified as were uses for fundamental astronomy investigations. Numerous specialized uses were identified. i, Document Anelysll e. Descriptors Very Long Baseline Array, astronomical research, space navigation, general relativity, geophysics, earth sciences, geodetic monitoring. -
EDGES Memo #054
EDGES MEMO #054 MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HAYSTACK OBSERVATORY WESTFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 01886 December 1, 2009 Telephone: 781-981-5407 Fax: 781-981-0590 To: EDGES Group From: Alan E.E. Rogers Subject: Meteor scatter rates Since all the World’s designated radio quiet zones are les than 2000 km from strong radio transmitters they are subject to RFI from meteor scatter. The key parameters of meteor scatter are poorly determined. For example, theory suggests that the radar cross-section (RCS) should decrease by 20 dB per decade from head echoes but measurements typically have an even faster decline with frequency. The frequency range for significant scatter and the range of concern to radio astronomy is about 50 to 300 MHz. Some papers claim that 1012 meteors enter the Earth’s atmosphere each day while others suggest a number more like 109. In practice we observed a rate of about 1 per minute when located in a canyon (see memo #52) with sky coverage limited to elevations greater than about 25 degrees. Based on the geometry of Figure 1 this corresponds to a worldwide rate of about 107/day. Figure 2 shows the estimated burst rate as a function of elevation cut-off angle. This very sharp curve shows the advantage of limiting the low elevation response of the antenna or using the terrain to limit the elevation angle. Potential locations for EDGES are on route 205 in the canyon just before 205 enters the Catlow Valley, Oregon or about 1km West of route 205 on Skull creek road. 1 h R To solve: theta=acos( ( (R+ h)*(R+ h)+ R*R-r*r) / (2*(R+ h)*R)) a 1 b -2*R*cos(elev+90) c = -(R+h)*(R+h)+R*R r = ((- b+sqrt(b*b-4*a*c) / (2*a) ; R earth radius = 6357 km r = region where meteors form ions ,-..J 100 km Figure 1. -
List of Acronyms
List of Acronyms List of Acronyms AAS American Astronomical Society AC (IVS) Analysis Center ACF AutoCorrelation Function ACU Antenna Control Unit ADC Analog to Digital Converter AES Advanced Engineering Services Co., Ltd (Japan) AGILE Astro-rivelatore Gamma ad Immagini LEggero satellite (Italy) AGN Active Galactic Nuclei AIPS Astronomical Image Processing System AIUB Astronomical Institute, University of Bern (Switzerland) AO Astronomical Object APSG Asia-Pacific Space Geodynamics program APT Asia Pacific Telescope ARIES Astronomical Radio Interferometric Earth Surveying program ASD Allan Standard Deviation ASI Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (Italy) ATA Allen Telescope Array (USA) ATCA Australia Telescope Compact Array (Australia) ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode ATNF Australia Telescope National Facility (Australia) AUT Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand) A-WVR Advanced Water Vapor Radiometer BBC Base Band Converter BdRAO Badary Radio Astronomical Observatory (Russia) BIPM Bureau Internacional de Poids et Mesures (France) BKG Bundesamt f¨ur Kartographie und Geod¨asie (Germany) BMC Basic Module of Correlator BOSSNET BOSton South NETwork BVID Bordeaux VLBI Image Database BWG Beam WaveGuide CARAVAN Compact Antenna of Radio Astronomy for VLBI Adapted Network (Japan) CAS Chinese Academy of Sciences (China) CASPER Center for Astronomy Signal Processing and Electronics Research (USA) CAY Centro Astron´omico de Yebes (Spain) CC (IVS) Coordinating Center CDDIS Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (USA) CDP Crustal Dynamics Project CE -
Probing the Universe at Low Radio Frequencies Using the GMRT
The GMRT : a look at the Past, Present and Future Yashwant Gupta & Govind Swarup National Centre for Radio Astrophysics Pune India URSI GASS Montreal 2017 The GMRT : a look at the Past, Present and Future Yashwant Gupta & Govind Swarup National Centre for Radio Astrophysics Pune India URSI GASS Montreal 2017 Overview of today’s talk . Part I : the GMRT -- a historical perspective . Part II : the GMRT -- current status . Part III : future -- the upgraded GMRT Some history . It is the early 1980s… the VLA has recently become operational . Radio astronomy has shifted from the low frequencies, where it was born, to higher frequencies (cm and higher wavelengths) -- obvious reasons . Note, however, techniques like self-cal have been shown to work . In India, the radio astronomy group at the Tata Institute, under the leadership of Govind Swarup, is looking for the next big challenge… They have already : . Built the Ooty Radio Telescope in the late 1960s – still operational & producing international quality results (in fact, currently being upgraded with new receiver system!) . Built the Ooty Synthesis Radio Telescope (1980s) – short-lived but valuable learnings . Built up considerable experience in low frequencies (metre wavelengths) Birth of the GMRT . Motivation : bridge the gap in radio astronomy facilities at low frequencies and address science problems best studied at metre wavelengths . First concept : 1984 (started with large cylinders); evolved to 34 dishes of 45 metres by 1986 . Project cleared and funding secured by 1987 . Construction started : 1990; first antenna erected : 1992 . First light observations : 1997 – 1998 . Released for world-wide use : 2002 The GMRT : turning it ON Jan 1997 : First fringes with the prototype GMRT correlator Dec 1998 : first light pulsar observation with the GMRT Dedication of the GMRT The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope was dedicated to the World Scientific Community by the Chairman of TIFR Council, Shri Ratan Tata. -
390 the VERY LONG BASELINE ARRAY PETER J. NAPIER National
Radio Interferomelry: Theory, Techniques and Applications, 390 IAU Coll. 131, ASP Conference Series, Vol. 19,1991, T.J. Comwell and R.A. Perley (eds.) THE VERY LONG BASELINE ARRAY PETER J. NAPIER National Radio Astronomy Observatory, P.O.Box 0, Socorro, NM 87801, USA ABSTRACT The Very Long Baseline Array, currently under construction, is a dedicated VLBI array consisting of ten 25m diameter antennas and a 20 station correlator. The key design features that make it a flexible, general purpose instrument are reviewed and some details are provided of the array layout, frequency coverage and sensitivity. INTRODUCTION Construction of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) began in 1985 and is scheduled for completion in 1992. The goal of the project is to provide an instrument which can carry out research on a wide range of problems in the field of very high resolution radio astronomy. General information about the VLBA and its potential research areas is available in Kellerman and Thompson (1985) and a summary of its instrumental parameters is provided by Vanden Bout (1991). In this paper we briefly review the current major design goals for the instrument and give some details of the array layout and antenna and receiver performance. Details of other aspects of the VLBA can be found elsewhere in these proceedings; see Rogers (tape recorder), Bagri and Thompson (electronics design), Thompson and Bagri (calibration system) and Chikada (correlator). PROJECT DESIGN GOALS The principal design goals for the VLBA are as follows: (1) Provide an array of 10 identical elements dedicated to VLBI astronomy. The antennas will be in continuous operation under remote control from the Array Operations Center (AOC) in Socorro. -
CASKAR: a CASPER Concept for the SKA Phase 1 Signal Processing Sub-System
CASKAR: A CASPER concept for the SKA phase 1 Signal Processing Sub-system Francois Kapp, SKA SA Outline • Background • Technical – Architecture – Power • Cost • Schedule • Challenges/Risks • Conclusions Background CASPER Technology MeerKAT Who is CASPER? • Berkeley Wireless Research Center • Nancay Observatory • UC Berkeley Radio Astronomy Lab • Oxford University Astrophysics • UC Berkeley Space Sciences Lab • Metsähovi Radio Observatory, Helsinki University of • Karoo Array Telescope / SKA - SA Technology • NRAO - Green Bank • New Jersey Institute of Technology • NRAO - Socorro • West Virginia University Department of Physics • Allen Telescope Array • University of Iowa Department of Astronomy and • MIT Haystack Observatory Physics • Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics • Ohio State University Electroscience Lab • Caltech • Hong Kong University Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering • Cornell University • Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory • NAIC - Arecibo Observatory • INAF - Istituto di Radioastronomia, Northern Cross • UC Berkeley - Leuschner Observatory Radiotelescope • Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope • University of Manchester, Jodrell Bank Centre for • Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica Astrophysics • National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of • Submillimeter Array Sciences • NRAO - Tucson / University of Arizona Department of • CSIRO - Australia Telescope National Facility Astronomy • Parkes Observatory • Center for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University -
The Ooty Wide Field Array (OWFA) Is an Upgrade to the ORT, Which Digitizes the Signals from Every 4 Dipoles Along the Feed Line
J. Astrophys. Astr. (0000) 00, 000–000 The Ooty Wide Field Array C. R. Subrahmanya1∗, P. K. Manoharan2†, Jayaram. N. Chengalur3‡ 1 Raman Research Institute, C. V. Raman Avenue, Sadashivnagar,Bengaluru 560080,India. 2 Radio Astronomy Centre, NCRA-TIFR, P. O. Box 8, Ooty 643001, India. 3 NCRA-TIFR, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007,India. Abstract. We describe here an ongoing upgrade to the legacy Ooty Ra- dio Telescope (ORT). The ORT is a cylindrical parabolic cylinder 530mx30m in size operating at a frequency of 326.5 (or z ∼ 3.35 for the HI 21cm line). The telescope has been constructed on a north-south hill slope whose gradient is equal to the latitude of the hill, making it effectively equitorially mounted. The feed con- sists of an array of 1056 dipoles. The key feature of this upgrade is the digitisation and cross-correlation of the signals of every set of 4-dipoles. This converts the ORT into a 264 element interfer- ometer with a field of view of 2◦ × 27.4◦ cos(δ). This upgraded instrument is called the Ooty Wide Field Array (OWFA). This paper briefly describes the salient features of the upgrade, as well as its main science drivers. There are three main science drivers viz. (1) Observations of the large scale distribution of HI in the post-reionisation era (2) studies of the propagation of plasma ir- regularities through the inner heliosphere and (3) blind surveys for transient sources. More details on the upgrade, as well as on the expected science uses can be found in other papers in this special issue. -
Next Generation Radio Arrays
NextNext GenerationGeneration RadioRadio ArraysArrays Dr.Dr. FrankFrank D.D. LindLind MITMIT HaystackHaystack ObservatoryObservatory (with acknowledgement to my colleagues who contribute to these efforts...) [McKay-Bukowski, et al., 2014] contact info : Frank D. Lind MIT Haystack Observatory Route 40 Westford MA, 01886 email - [email protected] DeepDeep MemoryMemory Solid state memory capacity will exceed our data storage requirements. Deep memory instruments will become possible. Store all data from every element for the life of a radio array... Intel + Micron 3D Flash Intel XPoint memory Keon Jae Lee of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) ConnectedConnected WorldWorld Wireless networks will be global and even replace the wires. Disconnected, self networking, and software realized instrumentation Sparse global radio arrays, deployable dense arrays, and ad-hoc arrays DisappearingDisappearing SensorsSensors Integration will become extreme and include quantum referenced sensors Receivers in connectors, cloud computers on a chip, really good clocks Energy harvesting and low power near field wireless data Self coherent arrays, personal passive radar, the ionosphere as a sensor Deployable Low Power Radio Platforms Instruments in ~ 10W power envelopes. Future systems will use ~ 1W of power total. Zero infrastructure radio science instrumentation Software radio and radar technology Solar and battery power Low power computing for data acquisition Intelligent control software Mahali Array (during build out) Deep -
Draft Environmnetal Impact Statement for the Green Bank Observatory
Draft November 9, 2017 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Green Bank Observatory, Green Bank, West Virginia National Science Foundation November 9, 2017 Cover Sheet Draft Environmental Impact Statement Green Bank Observatory, Green Bank, West Virginia Responsible Agency: The National Science Foundation (NSF) For more information, contact: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost Division of Astronomical Sciences Room W9152 2415 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22314 Public Comment Period: November 9, 2017 through January 8, 2018 (extended beyond typical 45-day review period to allow for the holidays) To Submit a Comment: • Send email with subject line “Green Bank Observatory” to: [email protected] • Send mail addressed to: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: Green Bank Observatory Division of Astronomical Sciences Room W9152 2415 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22314 Abstract: The NSF has produced a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with potential funding changes for Green Bank Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. The five Alternatives analyzed in the DEIS are: A) collaboration with interested parties for continued science- and education-focused operations with reduced NSF funding (the Agency- preferred Alternative); B) collaboration with interested parties for operation as a technology and education park; C) mothballing of facilities; D) demolition and site restoration; and the No-Action Alternative. The environmental resources considered in the DEIS are biological -
Radio Astronomy
Edition of 2013 HANDBOOK ON RADIO ASTRONOMY International Telecommunication Union Sales and Marketing Division Place des Nations *38650* CH-1211 Geneva 20 Switzerland Fax: +41 22 730 5194 Printed in Switzerland Tel.: +41 22 730 6141 Geneva, 2013 E-mail: [email protected] ISBN: 978-92-61-14481-4 Edition of 2013 Web: www.itu.int/publications Photo credit: ATCA David Smyth HANDBOOK ON RADIO ASTRONOMY Radiocommunication Bureau Handbook on Radio Astronomy Third Edition EDITION OF 2013 RADIOCOMMUNICATION BUREAU Cover photo: Six identical 22-m antennas make up CSIRO's Australia Telescope Compact Array, an earth-rotation synthesis telescope located at the Paul Wild Observatory. Credit: David Smyth. ITU 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU. - iii - Introduction to the third edition by the Chairman of ITU-R Working Party 7D (Radio Astronomy) It is an honour and privilege to present the third edition of the Handbook – Radio Astronomy, and I do so with great pleasure. The Handbook is not intended as a source book on radio astronomy, but is concerned principally with those aspects of radio astronomy that are relevant to frequency coordination, that is, the management of radio spectrum usage in order to minimize interference between radiocommunication services. Radio astronomy does not involve the transmission of radiowaves in the frequency bands allocated for its operation, and cannot cause harmful interference to other services. On the other hand, the received cosmic signals are usually extremely weak, and transmissions of other services can interfere with such signals. -
Concept Note Indo-South African Flagship Programme in Astronomy
Concept Note Indo-South African Flagship Programme in Astronomy Preamble: The Indo-South Africa Flagship Workshop meetings took place at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore on 15th-16th September 2014, and at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune on 19th September, 2014 and were sanctioned by the Departments of Science and Technology of both countries. A list of participants is included in the appendix. 1. Introduction India and South Africa share common aspirations for scientific and technological development, and for the growth of human capital resources. The countries are members of the BRICS consortium, and have a current bi-lateral agreement to foster joint progress. Their shared goals are particularly apparent in the area of astronomy and astrophysics. Indo-African astronomy cooperation began with projects in radio astronomy in Nigeria and Mauritius in the 1980s, and the optical Nainital-Cape Survey, started in 1997. The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) joined SALT in 2007, and the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (NCRA) has recently joined the SKA. Astronomy captures the imagination of people everywhere, and touches a fundamental human desire to understand the universe that surrounds us and our place in it. It provides an ideal way to attract young learners into scientific and technical studies, developing the human capacity for the knowledge-based economy of the future. Its appeal transcends boundaries of class and race and speaks to all members of our societies. The goal of the Indo-South African Flagship Programme in Astronomy is to exploit these basic strengths for the mutual betterment of our peoples.