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.