Collaborative Proposal for PAPER -- Precision Array to Probe the Epoch of Reionization

PAPER合作提案——精密阵列探测再电离时代

• 批准号: 0607759
• 负责人: Richard Bradley
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Virginia Main Campus
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-07-15 至 2009-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0607759&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Proposal; PAPER; Precision; Array

This is a collaborative project, lead 0607838/Backer, non-lead 0607759/Bradley.When the first stars formed from the densest regions of the evolving cosmic structure, their ultraviolet light stimulated hydrogen-line emission from the intergalactic medium. Although theory suggests that this radiation should be measurable, there are many uncertainties about the amplitude, angular structure, and frequency and redshift variation, of the signal. Progress in our understanding of the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) rests on detection and detailed study of this redshifted 21-cm line, and several experiments are planned or under way. This effort starts simple, with phased developments year by year, and is already deploying test elements sensitive in the 120-205 MHz range. An innovative correlator is under construction. The existing emphasis is on array calibration, wide-field imaging, and understanding how to achieve the stability needed for deep integrations. This continuation project will consolidate and expand, including deploying a larger array in Western Australia, where confounding radio frequency interference is minimal. Together, the northern and southern arrays will produce a catalog of the brightest sources at these frequencies in the entire sky, and prove key capabilities aimed at the future Precision Array to Probe the Epoch of Reionization (PAPER), investigating one of the most fascinating times in the Universe.This project both benefits from, and helps, related projects, including (but not limited to) the Frequency Agile Solar Radiotelescope, the Allen Telescope Array, and the California Array for Millimeter Astronomy. These are contributions to low frequency radio astronomy in general, as well as to solar physics and space weather. The study is also sharply focused around graduate student and postdoc involvement in instrumentation development. PAPER will also be a pioneer in launching a Radio Astronomy Park and radio quiet zone in a unique part of the globe.

这是一个合作项目，先导0607838/Backer，非先导0607759/Bradley。当第一批恒星从不断演化的宇宙结构的最致密区域形成时，它们的紫外光刺激了星系间介质的氢线发射。 尽管理论表明这种辐射应该是可测量的，但信号的幅度、角度结构、频率和红移变化存在许多不确定性。 我们对再电离时代 (EoR) 理解的进展取决于对这条红移 21 厘米线的检测和详细研究，并且一些实验正在计划或正在进行中。 这项工作起步简单，逐年分阶段开发，并且已经部署了 120-205 MHz 范围内敏感的测试元件。 一个创新的相关器正在建设中。 目前的重点是阵列校准、宽视场成像以及了解如何实现深度集成所需的稳定性。 这一延续项目将得到巩固和扩展，包括在西澳大利亚州部署更大的阵列，那里的射频干扰极小。 北部和南部阵列将共同产生整个天空中这些频率下最亮光源的目录，并证明针对未来探测再电离时代精密阵列（PAPER）的关键能力，调查最令人着迷的时代之一该项目既受益于相关项目，也为相关项目提供帮助，包括（但不限于）捷变频太阳射电望远镜、艾伦望远镜阵列和加州毫米天文学阵列。 这些都是对低频射电天文学以及太阳物理学和空间天气的贡献。 该研究还重点关注研究生和博士后参与仪器开发。 PAPER还将成为在全球独特地区推出射电天文公园和射电静区的先驱。