First results from the Very Small Array -- II. Observations of the CMB

Details First results from the Very Small Array -- II. Observations of the CMB First results from the Very Small Array -- II. Observations of the CMB

2002-05-22

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0205381v2

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 341 (2003) 1066

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

11 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS. Replaces original version - more detailed abstract, corrected typos

Scientific paper

10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06493.x

We have observed the cosmic microwave background temperature fluctuations in eight fields covering three separated areas of sky with the Very Small Array at 34 GHz. A total area of 101 square degrees has been imaged, with sensitivity on angular scales 3.6 - 0.4 degrees (equivalent to angular multipoles l=150-900). We describe the field selection and observing strategy for these observations. In the full-resolution images (with synthesised beam of FWHM ~ 17 arcmin) the thermal noise is typically 45 microK and the CMB signal typically 55 microK. The noise levels in each field agree well with the expected thermal noise level of the telescope, and there is no evidence of any residual systematic features. The same CMB features are detected in separate, overlapping observations. Discrete radio sources have been detected using a separate 15 GHz survey and their effects removed using pointed follow-up observations at 34 GHz. We estimate that the residual confusion noise due to unsubtracted radio sources is less than 14 mJy/beam (15 microK in the full-resolution images), which added in quadrature to the thermal noise increases the noise level by 6 %. We estimate that the rms contribution to the images from diffuse Galactic emission is less than 6 microK. We also present images which are convolved to maximise the signal-to-noise of the CMB features and are co-added in overlapping areas, in which the signal-to-noise of some individual CMB features exceeds 8.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

First results from the Very Small Array -- II. Observations of the CMB does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with First results from the Very Small Array -- II. Observations of the CMB, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and First results from the Very Small Array -- II. Observations of the CMB will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-32347