Collaborative Research: Observing the Epoch of Reionization with the Murchison Wide field Array

这项合作计划中的研究人员将分析来自Murchison Widefield Array的低频无线电数据，以检测第一代恒星和坍缩物体引起的21 cm信号波动的空间功率谱，这一时期被称为再电离时代（EoR）。这项工作的更广泛影响包括研究生和博士后的培训，以及代表性不足的群体对科学事业的参与。 将在当地的城市学校和部落中心进行社区宣传，观测将具有测量EoR功率谱的上升和下降的灵敏度，对再电离和早期星星形成的模型施加有意义的限制。 这些限制将对天体物理学界产生影响，并可能影响JWST观测的解释，限制宇宙微波背景测量的光学深度，并帮助我们了解早期宇宙。

The investigators in this collaborative proposal will analyze low frequency radio data from the Murchison Widefield Array to detect the spatial power spectrum of fluctuations in the 21 cm signal caused by the first generation of stars and collapsed objects, during an era known as the Epoch of Reionization (EoR). Broader impacts of the work include training of graduate students and postdocs, and engagement of under-represented groups toward careers in science. Community outreach will be undertaken at local urban schools and tribal centers.The observations will have the sensitivity to measure the rise and fall of the EoR power spectrum, placing meaningful constraints on models of reionization and early star formation. These constraints will have impact on the astrophysics community and could influence how JWST observations are interpreted, constrain the optical depth of cosmic microwave background measurements, and aid our understanding of the early universe.