eVLBI and the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP)
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Transcript of 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.