Wide Field Astronomy with ASKAP

Carole Jackson

ASKAP Project Team5 November 2009

Wide Field Astronomy with ASKAP

ASKAP specifications

Survey science process & User policy

Survey science

ASKAP - what next

ASKAP - developed & built by CSIRO Simon Johnston & Ilana FeainASKAP Project Scientists

ASKAP - fully funded

Many aligned Australian developments

ASKAP & SKA

ASKAP = Australia’s Pathfinder contribution to the SKA

• ASKAP - an SKA Pathfinder to• Demonstrate wide FoV, high dynamic-range imaging on a world-

class array telescope (PAFs)• Demonstrate Australia’s candidate SKA site, the Murchison Radio

Observatory (MRO).

• ASKAP’s role as a radio telescope;• World’s fastest survey radio telescope at cm frequencies• Science surveys have been set: 10 international teams now working

with the project

High-dynamic range, wide field-of-view telescopeNumber of dishes 36 Dish diameter 12 mMax baseline 6 kmResolution (max) 8 Sensitivity < 50 KSpeed 1.5x105 m4/K2.deg2

Observing frequency 700 – 1800 MHzField of View 30 deg2

Processed Bandwidth 300 MHzChannels 16kFocal Plane Phased Array 188 elements (94x dual pol)

ASKAP Specifications

ASKAP - Array of phased arrays

Checkerboard: Inexpensive PAF architectureSimilar to AA’s but use dish to manage FOV, control sidelobes-> high DR across wide FOV

PAF Design for SKA: Suzy Jackson (Thurs)

ASKAP @ Murchison Radio Observatory

ASKAP @ Murchison Radio Observatory

gazetted towns: 0

population: “up to 160”

2012 – Australia’s new landmark

• ASKAP telescope time will be assigned to astronomical research projects subject only to scientific merit, and technical and operational feasibility.

 • ASKAP data and data products will be released publicly through the

ASKAP Science Archive on a timescale designed to maximise scientific utilization and impact. No proprietary period.

 • The ASKAP Science Archive will be available to astronomers from all

over the world. • There will be 3 classes of observing time allocated on ASKAP; Survey

Science Projects, Guest Science Projects and Target of Opportunity over-rides.

ASKAP – User Policy (2008)

Large (>1500 hrs) science projects with major science outcomes

During the first 5 years of ASKAP science operations, up to 75% of observing time for these projects

• Selected via an EOI/proposal process + competitive peer review

• Membership and leadership of Survey Teams is open with one CSIRO ATNF affiliated astronomer.• Projects will work alongside ASKAP early operations

ASKAP Survey Science Projects

• WALLABY (Koribalski/Staveley-Smith) All sky HI survey to z~0.2 0.5M gals)• EMU (Norris) All sky continuum to 10 uJy rms

• GASKAP (Dickey) Galactic and Magellanic HI and OH• VAST (Murphy/Chatterjee) Transients and variables (>5 sec)• CRAFT (Dodson/Macquart) Fast transients (<5 sec)• FLASH (Sadler) HI absorption to z~1• POSSUM (Gaensler/Landecker/Taylor) Polarization / RM grid• DINGO (Meyer) Deep HI emission survey

• COAST (Stairs) Pulsar timing and searching• VLBI (Tingay) ASKAP as part of the LBA

ASKAP Survey Science Projects

ASKAP Survey Science Projects

ASKAP Next Steps

ASKAP Survey Science Projects now in the Design Study phase

• Top ranked proposals are supported by CSIRO• Design Study Nov 2009 – early 2012

Kick-off meeting for SSPs - Oct 2009

Regular ongoing meetings/discussions

• SSP Design Studies to be reviewed by committeeIncludes early data from first 6-antenna ASKAP array (“BETA”)

• Time assignment allocated on successful final Design Review• Final Design Study Review - Feb 2012

ASKAP Highlights - November 2009

1. Full-size ASKAP integration model at Marsfield(Sydney). Complete end-to-end system

2. Phased array feed testing at Parkes testbed(Patriot 12m antenna) - going well

3. Antenna 1 built, factory-accepted in China,En route to MRO (Dec 2009) - build Dec/Jan

4. Digital systems CDR: 20-21 October complete

5. Observatory - on site build late Nov 09 onwards

6. ASKAP survey science projects up-and-running

7. Strategic SKA Collaboration with IBM - SDB

CSIRO Jobs

ICRAR Jobs

ASKAP - please keep in touch!

Keep up-to-date with project news:

ASKAP - www.atnf.csiro.au/projects/askapAus-NZ SKA www.ska.gov.au

Quarterly anzSKA Newsletters (general updates)

Bi-yearly Science newsletters (see me for one now!)

Keep an eye out for the ‘Super Science Fellowships’ - more jobs!

Thank you

CSIRO Australia Telescope National FacilityDr Carole Jackson

Phone: +61 2 9372 4407Email: Carole.Jackson@csiro.auWeb: www.atnf.csiro.au/projects/askap

Contact UsPhone: 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176

Email: Enquiries@csiro.au Web: www.csiro.au