Murchison Widefield Array: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 10:13, 16 July 2013

Revision as of 11:58, 20 October 2013

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==Development==

[[File:SKA PAF Prototype Receiver Array.jpg|thumb|The CSIRO 32 element prototype Phased Array Feed (PAF) reciever for the ASKAP]]

[[File:SKA PAF Prototype 2.jpg|thumb|The CSIRO 32 element prototype Phased Array Feed (PAF) reciever for the ASKAP]]

[[File:SKA PAF Prototype.jpg|thumb|The CSIRO 32 element prototype Phased Array Feed (PAF) reciever for the ASKAP]]

A 32-tile prototype (MWA-32T) was constructed and operated with increasing capability over the period 2007–2011, testing telescope hardware and making preliminary science observations, including initial observations of EoR fields.<ref>(May 2011). [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011AAS...21813205W MWA Observations of Candidate EoR Fields]. Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 43. American Astronomical Society. Retrieved on 2 December 2012.</ref> A 512-tile instrument (512T) was planned<ref>(May 2011). [http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011AAS...21813207W The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA): Current Status and Plans]. American Astronomical Society. Retrieved on 2 December 2012.</ref> but de-scoped due to funding issues. The 128-tile instrument (MWA) was constructed in 2012,<ref>[http://raspberryastro.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/we-did-it/ We did it!]. Adventures in Astronomy. Retrieved on 2 December 2012.</ref> commencing science operations in early 2013. The infrastructure on-site at MRO will allow an eventual build-out to 256 tiles, increasing the sensitivity and resolution of the instrument.