Center for Astrophysics Research and Technologies Seminar Series
Construction and Commissioning of an LWA-Swarm Prototype: LWA – North Arm
Presented by Craig Taylor
Modern radio interferometers are designed with increasingly sprawling geographical footprints, offering enhanced sensitivity and resolution. However, managing such extensive facilities presents operational challenges that can potentially impede or delay scientific progress. One solution to such challenges is the 'swarm telescope' concept, which enables collaborative use of individual telescope systems managed by separate institutions to create a more powerful and manageable facility. Here we present the construction and ongoing commissioning of the Long Wavelength Array North Arm station (LWA-NA), a prototype 64-element LWA 'mini-station,' in collaboration with the Air Force Research Lab. The LWA-NA serves as a lightweight, rapidly deployable platform for radio astronomy, and serves as a pathfinder for the larger LWA-Swarm project. Our plans include the construction of additional stations in Arizona and Texas, expanding the reach of the swarm telescope concept via the LWA platform.
2:00 pm, Thursday, February 22, 2024
PAIS-3205, PAIS
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