Unveiling the first billion years: enabling epoch of reionisation science

该项目旨在通过观测宇宙第一个十亿年中气体的21厘米氢发射线来探测和探索再电离时代（EoR）。EoR和宇宙黎明标志着宇宙历史上剩下的两个未被观察到的时期。它们共同见证了第一批恒星、星系和X射线源的形成、诞生和照明，以及星系际介质从冷的中性氢雾到发光宇宙的加热电离画布的转变。21厘米中性氢射电信号映射了前10亿年的天体物理学和宇宙学，为它们的演化和空间分布提供了直接的示踪剂。该项目将通过规避当前实验的局限性来实现早期宇宙物理学的进步，并将实现持久的科学和技术突破。

This project aims to deliver detections and exploration of the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR) through observation of the 21 cm hydrogen emission line from gas in the first billion years of the Universe. The EoR and Cosmic Dawn mark the two remaining unobserved periods in the history of the Universe. Together, they are witness to the formation, birth and illumination of the first stars, galaxies and x-ray sources, and the consequent transformation of the intergalactic medium from a cold, neutral fog of hydrogen, to a heated, ionised canvas for the luminous Universe. The 21cm neutral hydrogen radio signal maps the astrophysics and cosmology of the first billion years, providing a direct tracer of their evolution and spatial distribution. The project will deliver advances in early Universe physics by circumventing limitations of current experiments, and will deliver lasting scientific and technological breakthroughs.