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

这是一个合作项目，铅0607838/贝克尔，非铅0607759/布拉德利。当第一颗恒星从演化中的宇宙结构的致密区域形成时，它们的紫外线激发了星系际介质的氢线发射。 虽然理论表明这种辐射应该是可测量的，但信号的振幅、角结构、频率和红移变化有许多不确定性。 我们对再电离时代（EoR）的理解的进展取决于对这条红移21厘米线的探测和详细研究，并且计划或正在进行几项实验。 这项工作从简单的开始，逐年分阶段发展，并已部署在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。 现有的重点是阵列校准，宽场成像，并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大，包括在西澳大利亚州部署一个更大的天线阵，那里的干扰无线电频率最小。 北方和南方的阵列将一起产生整个天空中这些频率的最亮光源的目录，并证明未来的精密阵列探测再电离时代（PAPER）的关键能力，调查宇宙中最迷人的时代之一。（但不限于）频率捷变太阳射电望远镜、艾伦望远镜阵列和加州毫米天文阵列。 这些都是对一般低频射电天文学以及太阳物理学和空间气象学的贡献。 这项研究也集中在研究生和博士后参与仪器开发。 PAPER还将率先在地球仪的一个独特地区建立射电天文公园和无线电静区。

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.