scholarly journals Science with the Murchison Widefield Array

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judd D. Bowman ◽  
Iver Cairns ◽  
David L. Kaplan ◽  
Tara Murphy ◽  
Divya Oberoi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Early Universe ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Performance Properties ◽  
Square Kilometre Array ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array

AbstractSignificant new opportunities for astrophysics and cosmology have been identified at low radio frequencies. The Murchison Widefield Array is the first telescope in the southern hemisphere designed specifically to explore the low-frequency astronomical sky between 80 and 300 MHz with arcminute angular resolution and high survey efficiency. The telescope will enable new advances along four key science themes, including searching for redshifted 21-cm emission from the EoR in the early Universe; Galactic and extragalactic all-sky southern hemisphere surveys; time-domain astrophysics; and solar, heliospheric, and ionospheric science and space weather. The Murchison Widefield Array is located in Western Australia at the site of the planned Square Kilometre Array (SKA) low-band telescope and is the only low-frequency SKA precursor facility. In this paper, we review the performance properties of the Murchison Widefield Array and describe its primary scientific objectives.

scholarly journals Source counts and confusion at 72–231 MHz in the MWA GLEAM survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. O. Franzen ◽  
T. Vernstrom ◽  
C. A. Jackson ◽  
N. Hurley-Walker ◽  
R. D. Ekers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Noise ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Radio Continuum ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Design Study ◽  
Array Design ◽  
Square Kilometre Array ◽  
Noise Limit ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array ◽  
Extended Emission

Abstract The GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky Murchison Widefield Array survey is a radio continuum survey at 72–231 MHz of the whole sky south of declination +30º, carried out with the Murchison Widefield Array. In this paper, we derive source counts from the GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky Murchison data at 200, 154, 118, and 88 MHz, to a flux density limit of 50, 80, 120, and 290 mJy respectively, correcting for ionospheric smearing, incompleteness and source blending. These counts are more accurate than other counts in the literature at similar frequencies as a result of the large area of sky covered and this survey’s sensitivity to extended emission missed by other surveys. At S154 MHz > 0.5 Jy, there is no evidence of flattening in the average spectral index (α ≈ −0.8 where S ∝ vα) towards the lower frequencies. We demonstrate that the Square Kilometre Array Design Study model by Wilman et al. significantly underpredicts the observed 154-MHz GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky Murchison counts, particularly at the bright end. Using deeper Low-Frequency Array counts and the Square Kilometre Array Design Study model, we find that sidelobe confusion dominates the thermal noise and classical confusion at v ≳ 100 MHz due to both the limited CLEANing depth and the undeconvolved sources outside the field-of-view. We show that we can approach the theoretical noise limit using a more efficient and automated CLEAN algorithm.

scholarly journals Twentieth Century Winter Changes in Southern Hemisphere Synoptic Weather Modes

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorgen S. Frederiksen ◽  
Carsten S. Frederiksen
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Storm Track ◽  
Intraseasonal Oscillation ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Cloud Band ◽  
Eastern Australia

During the last sixty years, there have been large changes in the southern hemisphere winter circulation and reductions in rainfall particularly in the southern Australian region. Here we examine the corresponding changes in dynamical modes of variability ranging from storm tracks, onset-of-blocking modes, northwest cloud-band disturbances, Antarctic low-frequency modes, intraseasonal oscillations, and African easterly waves. Our study is performed using a global two-level primitive equation instability-model with reanalyzed observed July three-dimensional basic states for the periods 1949–1968, 1975–1994, and 1997–2006. We relate the reduction in the winter rainfall in the southwest of Western Australia since the mid-1970s and in south-eastern Australia since the mid-1990s to changes in growth rate and structures of leading storm track and blocking modes. We find that cyclogenesis and onset-of-blocking modes growing on the subtropical jet have significantly reduced growth rates in the latter periods. On the other hand there is a significant increase in the growth rate of northwest cloud-band modes and intraseasonal oscillation disturbances that cross Australia and are shown to be related to recent positive trends in winter rainfall over northwest Western Australia and central Australia, in general. The implications of our findings are discussed.

scholarly journals The Murchison Widefield Array Commissioning Survey: A Low-Frequency Catalogue of 14 110 Compact Radio Sources over 6 100 Square Degrees

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Hurley-Walker ◽  
John Morgan ◽  
Randall B. Wayth ◽  
Paul J. Hancock ◽  
Martin E. Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flux Density ◽  
Noise Level ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Radio Sources ◽  
Reduction Strategy ◽  
Sky Survey ◽  
Field Boundaries ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array ◽  
Finding Method

AbstractWe present the results of an approximately 6 100 deg2 104–196 MHz radio sky survey performed with the Murchison Widefield Array during instrument commissioning between 2012 September and 2012 December: the MWACS. The data were taken as meridian drift scans with two different 32-antenna sub-arrays that were available during the commissioning period. The survey covers approximately 20.5 h < RA < 8.5 h, − 58° < Dec < −14°over three frequency bands centred on 119, 150 and 180 MHz, with image resolutions of 6–3 arcmin. The catalogue has 3 arcmin angular resolution and a typical noise level of 40 mJy beam− 1, with reduced sensitivity near the field boundaries and bright sources. We describe the data reduction strategy, based upon mosaicked snapshots, flux density calibration, and source-finding method. We present a catalogue of flux density and spectral index measurements for 14 110 sources, extracted from the mosaic, 1 247 of which are sub-components of complexes of sources.

scholarly journals The MWA long baseline Epoch of reionisation survey—I. Improved source catalogue for the EoR 0 field

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Lynch ◽  
T. J. Galvin ◽  
J. L. B. Line ◽  
C. H. Jordan ◽  
C. M. Trott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Calibration Model ◽  
Spectral Measurements ◽  
Long Baseline ◽  
Source Models ◽  
Extended Sources ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array ◽  
Foreground Calibration ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract One of the principal systematic constraints on the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR) experiment is the accuracy of the foreground calibration model. Recent results have shown that highly accurate models of extended foreground sources, and including models for sources in both the primary beam and its sidelobes, are necessary for reducing foreground power. To improve the accuracy of the source models for the EoR fields observed by the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), we conducted the MWA Long Baseline Epoch of Reionisation Survey (LoBES). This survey consists of multi-frequency observations of the main MWA EoR fields and their eight neighbouring fields using the MWA Phase II extended array. We present the results of the first half of this survey centred on the MWA EoR0 observing field (centred at RA (J2000) $0^\mathrm{h}$ , Dec (J2000) $-27^{\circ}$ ). This half of the survey covers an area of 3 069 degrees $^2$ , with an average rms of 2.1 mJy beam–1. The resulting catalogue contains a total of 80 824 sources, with 16 separate spectral measurements between 100 and 230 MHz, and spectral modelling for 78 $\%$ of these sources. Over this region we estimate that the catalogue is 90 $\%$ complete at 32 mJy, and 70 $\%$ complete at 10.5 mJy. The overall normalised source counts are found to be in good agreement with previous low-frequency surveys at similar sensitivities. Testing the performance of the new source models we measure lower residual rms values for peeled sources, particularly for extended sources, in a set of MWA Phase I data. The 2-dimensional power spectrum of these data residuals also show improvement on small angular scales—consistent with the better angular resolution of the LoBES catalogue. It is clear that the LoBES sky models improve upon the current sky model used by the Australian MWA EoR group for the EoR0 field.

scholarly journals Millisecond pulsars at low frequencies

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S337) ◽  
pp. 311-312
Author(s):  
N. D. Ramesh Bhat ◽  
Steven E. Tremblay ◽  
Franz Kirsten
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Pulsar Emission ◽  
Millisecond Pulsars ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Pulsar Timing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Propagation Effects ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array

AbstractLow-frequency pulsar observations are well suited for studying propagation effects caused by the interstellar medium (ISM). This is particularly important for millisecond pulsars (MSPs) that are part of high-precision timing applications such as pulsar timing arrays (PTA), which aim to detect nanoHertz gravitational waves. MSPs in the southern hemisphere will also be the prime targets for PTAs with the South African MeerKAT, and eventually with the SKA. The development of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) and the Engineering Development Array (EDA) brings excellent opportunities for low-frequency studies of MSPs in the southern hemisphere. They enable observations at frequencies from 50 MHz to 300 MHz, and can be exploited for a wide range of studies relating to pulsar emission physics and probing the ISM.

scholarly journals Science with the Murchison Widefield Array: Phase I results and Phase II opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Beardsley ◽  
M. Johnston-Hollitt ◽  
C. M. Trott ◽  
J. C. Pober ◽  
J. Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Original Design ◽  
New Science ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array ◽  
Extragalactic Surveys ◽  
Original Array ◽  
Prior Operation

Abstract The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) is an open access telescope dedicated to studying the low-frequency (80–300 MHz) southern sky. Since beginning operations in mid-2013, the MWA has opened a new observational window in the southern hemisphere enabling many science areas. The driving science objectives of the original design were to observe 21 cm radiation from the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR), explore the radio time domain, perform Galactic and extragalactic surveys, and monitor solar, heliospheric, and ionospheric phenomena. All together $60+$ programs recorded 20 000 h producing 146 papers to date. In 2016, the telescope underwent a major upgrade resulting in alternating compact and extended configurations. Other upgrades, including digital back-ends and a rapid-response triggering system, have been developed since the original array was commissioned. In this paper, we review the major results from the prior operation of the MWA and then discuss the new science paths enabled by the improved capabilities. We group these science opportunities by the four original science themes but also include ideas for directions outside these categories.

scholarly journals A measurement of source noise at low frequency: Implications for modern interferometers

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Morgan ◽  
R. Ekers
Keyword(s):  
Time Domain ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Total Power ◽  
Noise Detection ◽  
Intermediate Regime ◽  
Single Antenna ◽  
Target Source ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array ◽  
The Time Domain ◽  
Made In

Abstract We report on the detection of source noise in the time domain at 162 MHz with the Murchison Widefield Array. During the observation, the flux of our target source Virgo A (M87) contributes only $\sim$ 1% to the total power detected by any single antenna; thus, this source noise detection is made in an intermediate regime, where the source flux detected by the entire array is comparable with the noise from a single antenna. The magnitude of source noise detected is precisely in line with predictions. We consider the implications of source noise in this moderately strong regime on observations with current and future instruments.

scholarly journals Radio spectral properties of cores and extended regions in blazars in the MHz regime

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (4) ◽  
pp. 5798-5806 ◽  
Author(s):  
D d’Antonio ◽  
M Giroletti ◽  
G Giovannini ◽  
A Maini
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Spectral Properties ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
High Angular Resolution ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array

ABSTRACT Low-frequency radio surveys allow in-depth studies and new analyses of classes of sources that were previously known and characterized only in other bands. In recent years, low radio frequency observations of blazars have become available as a result of new surveys, such as the GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) survey (GLEAM). We search for gamma-ray blazars in a low-frequency (ν &lt; 240 MHz) survey, to characterize the spectral properties of the spatial components. We cross-correlate GLEAM with the fourth catalogue of active galactic nuclei (4LAC) detected by the Fermi satellite. This improves on previous works by using a low-frequency catalogue that is wider and deeper, with a better spectral coverage and the latest and most sensitive gamma-ray source list. Compared with a previous study based on the commissioning survey, the detection rate increased from 35 to 70 per cent. We include data from the Australia Telescope 20-GHz (AT20G) survey in order to extract high-frequency high-angular resolution information about the radio cores of blazars. We find low radio frequency counterparts for 1274 out of 1827 blazars in the range of 72–231 MHz. Blazars have flat spectra at the ∼100-MHz regime, with a mean spectral index α = −0.44 ± 0.01 (assuming Sν ∝ να). Low synchrotron peaked objects have a flatter spectrum than high synchrotron peaked objects. Low frequency radio and gamma-ray emissions show a significant but scattered correlation. The ratio between lobe and core radio emission in gamma-ray blazars is smaller than previously estimated.

scholarly journals Interplanetary Scintillation with the Murchison Widefield Array V: An all-sky survey of compact sources using a modern low-frequency radio telescope

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Morgan ◽  
J.-P. Macquart ◽  
R. Chhetri ◽  
R. D. Ekers ◽  
S. J. Tingay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Radio Sources ◽  
Interplanetary Scintillation ◽  
Complementary Information ◽  
Imaging Arrays ◽  
Sky Survey ◽  
Murchison Widefield Array ◽  
Celestial Sphere ◽  
Compact Sources

AbstractWe describe the parameters of a low-frequency all-sky survey of compact radio sources using Interplanetary Scintillation, undertaken with the Murchison Widefield Array. While this survey gives important complementary information to low-resolution survey, providing information on the sub-arsecond structure of every source, a survey of this kind has not been attempted in the era of low-frequency imaging arrays such as the Murchison Widefield Array and LOw Frequency Array. Here we set out the capabilities of such a survey, describing the limitations imposed by the heliocentric observing geometry and by the instrument itself. We demonstrate the potential for Interplanetary Scintillation measurements at any point on the celestial sphere and we show that at 160 MHz, reasonable results can be obtained within 30° of the ecliptic (2π str: half the sky). We also suggest some observational strategies and describe the first such survey, the Murchison Widefield Array Phase I Interplanetary Scintillation survey. Finally we analyse the potential of the recently upgraded Murchison Widefield Array and discuss the potential of the Square Kilometre Array-low to use Interplanetary Scintillation to probe sub-mJy flux density levels at sub-arcsecond angular resolution.

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