evlbi and the australian ska pathfinder (askap)

eVLBI and the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP)

Prof. Steven TingayCurtin University of TechnologyPerth, Australia

7th eVLBI workshop SHAO, 2008 June

Low luminosity GPS survey

SN1987A + ATCA

Circinus X-1

ASKAP

eVLBI in Australasia• Based on ATCA, Parkes, Mopra (1 Gbps network) & Hobart (155

Mbps network), with software correlation;

• Routinely available facility (up to 1 Gbps data rate);

• Collaborative (ATNF, Curtin, Swinburne, UTas, NZ) roadmap for: – better connectivity (10 Gbps);– more distributed correlation (ATCA: software/hardware; Curtin: software);– more antennas (New Zealand, ASKAP);

• Demonstrate real-time connectivity to:– Europe (via EXPReS);– Eastern Asia (this meeting - we hope!);– South Africa, South America, India, USA.

• Full detail of current status in Chris Phillips presentation;

• http://www.atnf.csiro.au/vlbi

Auckland

Murchison

5500 km

Perth

CUPPA

APSR CATEP

CABB

Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP)

• 30 - 45 x 12 m dishes;

• Phased Array Feeds (PAF);

• Maximum baseline of 1 - 10 km;

• Radio quiet location on Western Australia SKA site;

• Maximum instantaneous bandwidth of 300 MHz;

• Frequency coverage of at least 0.7 - 1.7 GHz;

• http://www.auska.gov.au

eVLBI and ASKAP:The high-resolution component of ASKAP

Goal: Align with priorities of Australian SKA project and support the Australian bid to win the SKA.

– Demonstrate connectivity and real-time correlation (in software in Perth) on baseline lengths to meet the SKA specifications i.e. at least 3000 km, at high datarate;

– Do some SKA-related science:• Wide field imaging;• Transient detection and identification experiments;• Weak source surveys;• Pulsar proper motion and parallax, etc……….• Described in ASKAP science case (Johnston et al. 2007,

PASA, 24, 174: VLBI chapter by Tingay et al.)

TRIGGER

30” @ 5 mas

10 Gbps

~ 30 uJy/beam

~ 5 mas FWHM

Spectrum? Compact? Morphology? Evolution?

10 Gbps

Summary

• eVLBI now routine for LBA at datarates up to 1 Gbps:

– Approximately 6 eVLBI proposals currently in ATNF system for ongoing observations.

• Pushing to 10 Gbps as quickly as possible;

• Pushing to new instruments in Western Australia and New Zealand for 5500 km real-time baselines;

• Strongly aligned with Australia’s program of SKA science and technology demonstration. Network providers (academic and private) interested and can see the opportunities.