Instruments for Radioastronomy (Current & Future)
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Multi-Colour Analysis of Galaxy Clusters with Radio Halos And/Or Relics
MULTI-COLOUR ANALYSIS OF GALAXY CLUSTERS WITH RADIO HALOS AND/OR RELICS L. S. Legodi Supervisors: Dr N. Oozeer (SKA Africa, AIMS, NWU) & Prof. T. Jarrett (UCT) Astronomy Department University of Cape Town (UCT) A research project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) M.Sc. degree. University of Cape Town September 2014 This work is funded fully by the South African National Research Foundation (SA NRF) and the the Square Kilometre Array South Africa (SKA SA) project through their postgraduate student scholarship. Opinions expressed and conclusions made, are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SA NRF, SKA SA, NASSP and/or UCT. The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town Abstract Galaxy clusters can be sites of considerable dynamic activity due to intra-cluster and inter-cluster interactions. These interactions include cluster-cluster mergers which are accompanied by large release of energy observed via thermal 44 X-ray emission (LX ∼ 10 ergs/s). The work presented here focuses on clusters that exhibit extended (∼ 1 Mpc) diffuse radio sources (low surface brightness ∼ 1−0:1 µJy.arcsec−2 at 1.4 GHz) called radio relics and radio halos. -
A Precise and Accurate Determination of the Cosmic Microwave Background Temperature at Z =0.89
A&A 551, A109 (2013) Astronomy DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201220613 & c ESO 2013 Astrophysics A precise and accurate determination of the cosmic microwave background temperature at z =0.89 S. Muller1, A. Beelen2,J.H.Black1,S.J.Curran3,4, C. Horellou1,S.Aalto1, F. Combes5, M. Guélin6,7, and C. Henkel8,9 1 Department of Earth and Space Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Onsala Space Observatory, 439 92 Onsala, Sweden e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, Bât. 121, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France 3 Sydney Institute for Astronomy, School of Physics, The University of Sydney, 2006 NSW, Australia 4 ARC Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO), Australia 5 Observatoire de Paris, LERMA, CNRS, 61 Av. de l’Observatoire, 75014 Paris, France 6 Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique, 300 rue de la piscine, 38406 Saint-Martin d’Hères, France 7 École Normale Supérieure/LERMA, 24 rue Lhomond, 75005 Paris, France 8 Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastonomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, 53121 Bonn, Germany 9 Astron. Dept., King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80203, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Received 22 October 2012 / Accepted 21 December 2012 ABSTRACT Context. According to the Big Bang theory and as a consequence of adiabatic expansion of the Universe, the temperature of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) increases linearly with redshift. This relation is, however, poorly explored, and detection of any deviation would directly lead to (astro-)physics beyond the standard model. Aims. We aim to measure the temperature of the CMB with an accuracy of a few percent at z = 0.89 toward the molecular absorber in the galaxy lensing the quasar PKS 1830−211. -
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 -
Maser Observations with New Instruments
Cosmic Masers - from OH to H0 Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 287, 2012 c 2012 International Astronomical Union E. Humphreys & W. Vlemmings, eds. DOI: 00.0000/X000000000000000X Maser observations with new instruments Alwyn Wootten1 1North American ALMA Science Center, NRAOy, 520 Edgemont Rd., Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA email: [email protected] Abstract. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)y, and the Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) have recently begun probing the Universe. Both provide the largest collect- ing area available at locations on a high dry site, endowing them with unparalleled potential for sensitive spectral line observations. Over the next few years, these telescopes will be joined by other telescopes to provide advances in maser science, including NOEMA and the LMT. Other instruments of note for maser science which may commence construction include the North American Array, the CCAT, and an enlarged worldwide VLB network outfitted to operate into the millimeter wavelength regime. Keywords. masers, radio lines: ISM, instrumentation: high angular resolution 1. Introduction At the last IAU Symposium on masers, construction had just begun on the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), the upgrade of the Very Large Array to the Jansky Very Large Array was being planned, and millimeter instrumentation was being introduced on the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). CARMA had just commenced its first semester of routine science and would shortly populate its more extended arrays, enabling high resolution observations, particularly well adapted to maser observations. The Submillimeter Array was forging new paths with high resolution observations up to the edge of the atmospheric windows near 700 GHz. -
The Merlin - Phase 2
Radio Interferometry: Theory, Techniques and Applications, 381 IAU Coll. 131, ASP Conference Series, Vol. 19, 1991, T.J. Comwell and R.A. Perley (eds.) THE MERLIN - PHASE 2 P.N. WILKINSON University of Manchester, Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratories, Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SKll 9DL, United Kingdom ABSTRACT The Jodrell Bank MERLIN is currently being upgraded to produce higher sensitivity and higher resolving power. The major capital item has been a new 32m telescope located at MRAO Cambridge which will operate to at least 50 GHz. A brief outline of the upgraded MERLIN and its performance is given. INTRODUCTION The MERLIN (Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network), based at Jodrell Bank, was conceived in the mid-1970s and first became operational in 1980. It was a bold concept; no one had made a real-time long-baseline interferometer array with phase-stable local oscillator links before. Six remotely operated telescopes, controlled via telephone lines, are linked to a control computer at Jodrell Bank. The rf signals are transmitted to Jodrell via commercial multi-hop microwave links operating at 7.5 GHz. The local oscillators are coherently slaved to a master oscillator via go-and- return links operating at L-band, the change in the link path-length being taken out in software. This single-frequency L-band link can transfer phase to the equivalent of < 1 picosec (< 0.3 mm of path length) on timescales longer than a few seconds. A detailed description of the MERLIN system has been given by Thomasson (1986). The MERLIN has provided the UK with a unique astronomical facility, one which has made important contributions to extragalactic radio source and OH maser studies. -
THE POLARIZATION of RADIO GALAXIES -Its Structure at Low Frequencies
STELLINGEN behorende bij het proefschrift THE POLARIZATION OF RADIO GALAXIES -its structure at low frequencies- 1. De structuur van de polarisatieverdelingen in uitgebreide extragalactische radiobronnen toont aan dat de veelgemaakte aanname van cilinder symmetrie voor de radiocomponenten onvolledig is (dit proefschrift). 2. Voor multispectrale vergelijkingen van radiokaarten van uitgebreide extragalactische stelsels ware het gewenst dat de Westerbork Synthese Radio Telescoop wordt uitgebreid met ontvangers bij een frequentie ergens tussen 610 MHz en 1400 MHz. 3. Het verloop van de spectrale index in zogenaamde edge-brightened double radio sources is slechts afhankelijk van de spectrale indices van de hot spots (dit proefschrift). 4. In de radiosterrenkunde blijft de theorie te ver achter bij de vele goede waarnemingen. 5. Om een goede astronoom te zijn moet men geloven dat het te bestuderen object de sleutel tot het heelal levert. 6. Bemande ruimtevaart moet waar mogelijk vermeden worden. 7. Sporters moeten zelf kunnen beslissen of zij een politiek omstreden evenement boycotten of niet. 8. Gelijktijdige pauze op alle Nederlandse astronomische instituten verhoogt de doelmatigheid. 9. De verwijzing private communication in wetenschappelijke literatuur is onacceptabel. 10. Het niet respecteren van Oost-Europese sportprestaties miskent het fenomeen topsport. 11. De huidige opzet van de dames tafeltennis competitie is nadelig voor het algehele dames spelniveau. W.J. Jagers Leiden, 2 december 1986 THE POLARIZATION OF RADIO GALAXIES its structure at low frequencies THE POLARIZATION OF RADIO GALAXIES its structure at low frequencies PROEFSCHRIFT ter verkrijging van de graad van Doctor in de Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen aan de Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden, op gezag van de Rector Magnificus Dr. -
The Multiwavelength Universe
Multiwavelength Astronomy Revealing the Universe in All Its Light Almost everything we know about the universe comes from studying the light emitted or refl ected by objects in space. Apart from a few exceptions, such as the collection of Moon rocks returned by Apollo astronauts, astronomers must rely on collecting and analyzing the faint light from distant objects in order to study the cosmos. This fact is even more remarkable when you consider the vastness of space. Light may travel for billions of years before reaching our telescopes. In the science of astronomy, we generally cannot retrieve samples, study objects in a laboratory, or physically enter an environment for detailed study. Fortunately, light carries a lot of information. By detecting and analyzing the light emitted by an object in space, astronomers can learn about its distance, motion, temperature, density, and chemical composition. Since the light from an object takes time to reach us, it also brings us information about the evolution and history of the universe. When we receive light from an object in space, we are actually performing a type of archaeology by studying the object’s appearance as it was when the light was emitted. For example, when astronomers study a galaxy that is 200 million light-years away, they are examining that galaxy as it looked 200 million years ago. To see what it looks like today, we would have to wait another 200 million years. The Electromagnetic Spectrum Radio MicrowaveInfrared Visible Ultraviolet X-ray Gamma Ray 4 2 -2 -5 -6 -8 -10 -12 1010 110 10 10 10 10 10 Wavelength in centimeters About the size of.. -
Spectra As Windows Into Exoplanet Atmospheres
SPECIAL FEATURE: PERSPECTIVE PERSPECTIVE SPECIAL FEATURE: Spectra as windows into exoplanet atmospheres Adam S. Burrows1 Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544 Edited by Neta A. Bahcall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, and approved December 2, 2013 (received for review April 11, 2013) Understanding a planet’s atmosphere is a necessary condition for understanding not only the planet itself, but also its formation, structure, evolution, and habitability. This requirement puts a premium on obtaining spectra and developing credible interpretative tools with which to retrieve vital planetary information. However, for exoplanets, these twin goals are far from being realized. In this paper, I provide a personal perspective on exoplanet theory and remote sensing via photometry and low-resolution spectroscopy. Although not a review in any sense, this paper highlights the limitations in our knowledge of compositions, thermal profiles, and the effects of stellar irradiation, focusing on, but not restricted to, transiting giant planets. I suggest that the true function of the recent past of exoplanet atmospheric research has been not to constrain planet properties for all time, but to train a new generation of scientists who, by rapid trial and error, are fast establishing a solid future foundation for a robust science of exoplanets. planetary science | characterization The study of exoplanets has increased expo- by no means commensurate with the effort exoplanetology, and this expectation is in part nentially since 1995, a trend that in the short expended. true. The solar system has been a great, per- term shows no signs of abating. Astronomers An important aspect of exoplanets that haps necessary, teacher. -
Dynamics of the Arecibo Radio Telescope
DYNAMICS OF THE ARECIBO RADIO TELESCOPE Ramy Rashad 110030106 Department of Mechanical Engineering McGill University Montreal, Quebec, Canada February 2005 Under the supervision of Professor Meyer Nahon Abstract The following thesis presents a computer and mathematical model of the dynamics of the tethered subsystem of the Arecibo Radio Telescope. The computer and mathematical model for this part of the Arecibo Radio Telescope involves the study of the dynamic equations governing the motion of the system. It is developed in its various components; the cables, towers, and platform are each modeled in succession. The cable, wind, and numerical integration models stem from an earlier version of a dynamics model created for a different radio telescope; the Large Adaptive Reflector (LAR) system. The study begins by converting the cable model of the LAR system to the configuration required for the Arecibo Radio Telescope. The cable model uses a lumped mass approach in which the cables are discretized into a number of cable elements. The tower motion is modeled by evaluating the combined effective stiffness of the towers and their supporting backstay cables. A drag model of the triangular truss platform is then introduced and the rotational equations of motion of the platform as a rigid body are considered. The translational and rotational governing equations of motion, once developed, present a set of coupled non-linear differential equations of motion which are integrated numerically using a fourth-order Runge-Kutta integration scheme. In this manner, the motion of the system is observed over time. A set of performance metrics of the Arecibo Radio Telescope is defined and these metrics are evaluated under a variety of wind speeds, directions, and turbulent conditions. -
(LWA): a Large HF/VHF Array for Solar Physics, Ionospheric Science, and Solar Radar
The Long Wavelength Array (LWA): A Large HF/VHF Array for Solar Physics, Ionospheric Science, and Solar Radar A Ground-Based Instrument Paper for the 2010 NRC Decadal Survey of Solar and Space Physics Lee J Rickard, Joseph Craig, Gregory B. Taylor, Steven Tremblay, and Christopher Watts University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 Namir E. Kassim, Tracy Clarke, Clayton Coker, Kenneth Dymond, Joseph Helmboldt, Brian C. Hicks, Paul Ray, and Kenneth P. Stewart Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375 Jacob M. Hartman NRC Research Associate, in residence at Naval Research Laboratory Stephen M. White AFRL, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM 87117 Paul Rodriguez Consultant, Washington, DC 20375 Steve Ellingson and Chris Wolfe Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24060 Robert Navarro and Joseph Lazio NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109 Charles Cormier and Van Romero New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology, Socorro, NM 87801 Fredrick Jenet University of Texas, Brownsville, TX 78520 and the LWA Consortium Executive Summary The Long Wavelength Array (LWA), currently under construction in New Mexico, will be an imaging HF/VHF interferometer providing a new approach for studying the Sun-Earth environment from the surface of the sun through the Earth’s ionosphere [1]. The LWA will be a powerful tool for solar physics and space weather investigations, through its ability to characterize a diverse range of low- frequency, solar-related emissions, thereby increasing our understanding of particle acceleration and shocks in the solar atmosphere along with their impact on the Sun-Earth environment. As a passive receiver the LWA will directly detect Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) in emission, and indirectly through the scattering of cosmic background sources. -
Istituto Di Radioastronomia Inaf
ISTITUTO DI RADIOASTRONOMIA INAF STATUS REPORT October 2007 http://www.ira.inaf.it/ Chapter 1. STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION The Istituto di Radioastronomia (IRA) is presently the only INAF structure with divisions distributed over the national territory. Such an organization came about because IRA was originally a part of the National Council of Research (CNR), which imposed the first of its own reforms in 2001. The transition from CNR to INAF began in 2004 and was completed on January 1st , 2005. The Institute has its headquarters in Bologna in the CNR campus area, and two divisions in Firenze and Noto. The Medicina station belongs to the Bologna headquarters. A fourth division is foreseen in Cagliari at the Sardinia Radiotelescope site. The IRA operates 3 radio telescopes: the Northern Cross Radio Telescope (Medicina), and two 32-m dishes (Medicina and Noto), which are used primarily for Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations. The IRA leads the construction of the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), a 64-m dish of new design. This is one of the INAF large projects nowadays. The aims of the Institute comprise: - the pursuit of excellence in many research areas ranging from observational radio astronomy, both galactic and extragalactic, to cosmology, to geodesy and Earth studies; - the design and management of the Italian radio astronomical facilities; - the design and fabrication of instrumentation operating in bands from radio to infrared and visible. Main activities of the various sites include: Bologna: The headquarters are responsible for the institute management and act as interface with the INAF central headquarters in Roma. Much of the astronomical research is done in Bologna, with major areas in cosmology, extragalactic astrophysics, star formation and geodesy. -
NATIONAL ACADEMIES of SCIENCES and ENGINEERING NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA
NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA UNITED STATES NATIONAL COMMITTEE International Union of Radio Science National Radio Science Meeting 4-8 January 2000 Sponsored by USNC/URSI University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado U.S.A. United States National Committee INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RADIO SCIENCE PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS National Radio Science Meeting 4-8 January 2000 Sponsored by USNC/URSI NOTE: Programs and Abstracts of the USNC/URSI Meetings are available from: USNC/URSI National Academy of Sciences 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20418 at $5 for 1983-1999 meetings. The full papers are not published in any collected format; requests for them should be addressed to the authors who may have them published on their own initiative. Please note that these meetings are national. They are not organized by the International Union, nor are the programs available from the International Secretariat. ii MEMBERSHIP United States National Committee INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RADIO SCIENCE Chair: Gary Brown* Secretary & Chair-Elect: Umran S. !nan* Immediate Past Chair: Susan K. Avery* Members Representing Societies, Groups, and Institutes: American Astronomical Society Thomas G. Phillips American Geophysical Union Donald T. Farley American Meteorological Society vacant IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society Linda P.B. Katehi IEEE Geosciences and Remote Sensing Society Roger Lang IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society Arthur A. Oliner Members-at-Large: Amalia Barrios J. Richard Fisher Melinda Picket-May Ronald Pogorzelski W. Ross Stone Richard Ziolkowski Chairs of the USNC/URSI Commissions: Commission A Moto Kanda Commission B Piergiorgio L. E. Uslenghi Commission C Alfred 0.