Transcript Data Acquisition

RadioNet:
Advanced Radio Astronomy in Europe
An I3 funded by the EU through FP6
Alastair G Gunn
University of Manchester
Jodrell Bank Observatory
OPTICON BOARD MEETING – 11th/12th October 2004, Grenoble
RadioNet Partners & Mission
• RadioNet has 20 partners: all of the
major radio astronomy facilities and
the laboratories involved in technology
development
• Coordinated by the University of
Manchester, UK
• Remit is to support the European radio
astronomy community and to enhance
the European radio astronomy facilities
• RadioNet was awarded €12.4M
The Telescopes & Trans-National Access 1
• Europe has some of the largest and most sophisticated radio
telescopes on Earth. These facilities are working together more
closely than ever under the RadioNet umbrella.
The Telescopes & Trans-National Access 2
• Telescopes:
– European VLBI Network (EVN) is the most sensitive VLBI array
on Earth. Has three telescopes in 70-100 m class and more
are being built – 64-m in Sardinia, IT (2006), 40-m at Yebes,
ES (2004);
– IRAM: runs Plateau de Bure (FR) (progenitor of ALMA) and
Pico Veleta (ES: largest mm dish in world);
– JCMT in Hawaii, largest sub-mm capable dish in the world;
– MERLIN: UK’s 7-telescope array, has the same resolution in
the radio as the HST; being upgraded using fibre optic cables.
– MPIfR – Effelsberg (DE) 100-m; 2nd largest steerable dish in
the world;
– OSO-20m; highly capable mm dish in Sweden;
– WSRT – recently upgraded, 14 –element interferometer in NL
Science with RadioNet Facilities: MERLIN & EVN
• MERLIN is the UK’s radio
imaging camera: provides
radio images with the
same level of detail as the
Hubble Space Telescope
does in the optical
• MERLIN image of nearby
galaxy M82 shows ~50
bright spots  supernovae
• The European VLBI
Network (EVN) provides a
zoom capability for more
detailed studies of these
supernovae
M82: MERLIN
Science with RadioNet Facilities: WSRT
• Westerbork Synthesis
Radio Telescope (WSRT)
in the Netherlands is the
premier instrument for
studies of HI, the most
abundant material in the
Universe.
• Optical image of M31
compared with WSRT
image of HI in the same
galaxy.
HI
Optical
Science with RadioNet Facilities: JCMT
• James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii,
with SCUBA, has demonstrated the power of submm science. Has been a crucial pathfinder for the
Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA).
• Cosmology. Observe dusty, star-forming galaxies in
early Universe. SCUBA has found > 100 sub-mm
galaxies.
• Star-formation: SCUBA probes through the
obscuring dust/gas to reveal
the details underneath
• Planets: SCUBA shows us a
dusty debris disk around
Epsilon Eridani
RadioNet Joint Research Activities (JRAs)
• RadioNet has three JRAS, developing the future technology and software
for radio astronomy:
– ALBUS: Advanced Long-Baseline User Software
developing advanced software for interferometers
– AMSTAR: Advanced mm and sub-mm Technology for Astronomical
Research
developing new mm-wave devices
– PHAROS: Phased Arrays for Reflector Observing Systems
developing focal plane phased-arrays
• These developments will be crucial for
the construction of ALMA and the SKA.
ALMA
SKA
RadioNet Networking Activities (NAs)
•
RadioNet has six NAs, linking the scientists, engineers and the next
generation of researchers:
- Synergy
integrating facility access across Europe
- Science Workshops and Training Group
dissemination of science and the training of young researchers
- European Radio Astronomy Engineering Forum
forum for RadioNet engineers
- Software & Users Forum
forum for software developers and users
- ALMA Forum
maximise European potential from ALMA
- Astronomy across Europe
linking the community
- Radio Frequency Management
solutions to radio frequency interference
RadioNet Highlights
•
RadioNet Mid-Year Report available on website
www.radionet-eu.org
•
Good progress has been made in all areas in the 1st year of RadioNet
•
Five RadioNet-funded science meetings have been held in 2004
- Dense Molecular Gas around Protostars and Galactic Nuclei
- Exploring the Cosmic Frontier: Astrophysical Instruments for the
21st Century
- Multiwavelength Approaches to AGNs
- 7th EVN Symposium
- Young European Radio Astronomers Conference (YERAC)
•
2nd RadioNet Board Meeting to be held at JBO on 17th November 2004
Strategic Issues
• RadioNet is not enough!
the future of radio astronomy in Europe seems to require a
legal organisation, or ‘foundation’, that is small and efficient
but draws on the skills of other institutes
• Coordinated Outreach Programmes
RadioNet would like to collaborate more closely with
OPTICON and ILIAS in outreach programmes
• I3 Forum (12th November 2004, Brussels)
RadioNet would like to ask OPTICON whether they consider
that, under FP7, there are benefits to be had from a joint,
spectrum-wide astronomy proposal