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: [email protected]: www.atnf.csiro.au/projects/askap
Contact UsPhone: 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176
Email: [email protected] Web: www.csiro.au