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Radio continuum surveys with square kilometre array pathfinders

Citation

Norris, RP and Afonso, J and Bacon, D and Beck, R and Bell, M and Beswick, RJ and Best, P and Bhatnagar, S and Bonafede, A and Brunetti, G and Budavari, T and Cassano, R and Condon, JJ and Cress, C and Dabbech, A and Feain, I and Fender, R and Ferrari, C and Gaensler, BM and Giovannini, G and Haverkorn, M and Heald, G and Van der Heyden, K and Hopkins, AM and Jarvis, M and Johnston-Hollitt, M and Kothes, R and Van Langevelde, H and Lazio, J and Mao, MY and Martinez-Sansigre, A and Mary, D and McAlpine, K and Middelberg, E and Murphy, E and Padovani, P and Paragi, Z and Prandoni, I and Raccanelli, A and Rigby, E and Roseboom, IG and Rottgering, H and Sabater, J and Salvato, M and Scaife, AMM and Schilizzi, R and Seymour, N and Smith, DJB and Umana, G and Zhao, G-B and Zinn, P-C, Radio continuum surveys with square kilometre array pathfinders, Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, 30 Article e020. ISSN 1448-6083 (2013) [Refereed Article]

Copyright Statement

Copyright 2013 Cambridge University Press

DOI: doi:10.1017/pas.2012.020

Abstract

In the lead-up to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, several next-generation radio telescopes and upgrades are already being built around the world. These include APERTIF (The Netherlands), ASKAP (Australia), e-MERLIN (UK), VLA (USA), e-EVN (based in Europe), LOFAR (The Netherlands), MeerKAT (South Africa), and the Murchison Widefield Array. Each of these new instruments has different strengths, and coordination of surveys between them can help maximise the science from each of them. A radio continuum survey is being planned on each of them with the primary science objective of understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies over cosmic time, and the cosmological parameters and large-scale structures which drive it. In pursuit of this objective, the different teams are developing a variety of new techniques, and refining existing ones. To achieve these exciting scientific goals, many technical challenges must be addressed by the survey instruments. Given the limited resources of the global radio-astronomical community, it is essential that we pool our skills and knowledge. We do not have sufficient resources to enjoy the luxury of re-inventing wheels. We face significant challenges in calibration, imaging, source extraction and measurement, classification and cross-identification, redshift determination, stacking, and data-intensive research. As these instruments extend the observational parameters, we will face further unexpected challenges in calibration, imaging, and interpretation. If we are to realise the full scientific potential of these expensive instruments, it is essential that we devote enough resources and careful study to understanding the instrumental effects and how they will affect the data. We have established an SKA Radio Continuum Survey working group, whose prime role is to maximise science from these instruments by ensuring we share resources and expertise across the projects. Here we describe these projects, their science goals, and the technical challenges which are being addressed to maximise the science return.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:radiotelescopes – surveys – galaxy evolution – cosmology
Research Division:Physical Sciences
Research Group:Astronomical and Space Sciences
Research Field:Cosmology and Extragalactic Astronomy
Objective Division:Expanding Knowledge
Objective Group:Expanding Knowledge
Objective Field:Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences
UTAS Author:Mao, MY (Miss Minnie Mao)
ID Code:88661
Year Published:2013
Web of Science® Times Cited:64
Deposited By:Mathematics and Physics
Deposited On:2014-02-12
Last Modified:2014-05-19
Downloads:0

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