Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
May 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agusmsh33c..02k&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2007, abstract #SH33C-02
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
6900 Radio Science, 7500 Solar Physics, Astrophysics, And Astronomy, 7900 Space Weather
Scientific paper
We describe the Long Wavelength Array (LWA), now in the initial construction phase, that will open a window on one of the last and most poorly explored regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The LWA will be a large (baselines up to 400 km), low frequency (n ~ 20-80 MHz) aperture synthesis array with large collecting area (~106 m2 at 20 MHz) and high resolution (~1.5" at 80 MHz), and will provide mJy-level sensitivity across much of its operating range. This region has been poorly explored because ionospheric turbulence has limited imaging to very course angular resolution. New phase compensation techniques now make it possible to explore this region at unprecedented resolution and sensitivity. In addition to its main applications for pioneering studies in astrophysics, the LWA can also be a powerful instrument for solar system and planetary science applications. The Sun will always be accessible to one of the LWA's multiple electronic beams during daylight hours, and particularly during periods of high solar activity the Sun will be a prominent (and highly variable) feature of the low-frequency sky. A diverse range of low-frequency emissions is generated by the Sun that carry information about processes taking place in the Sun's atmosphere. Study of these emissions with the LWA will make possible advances in our understanding of particle acceleration and shocks in the solar atmosphere, and of CMEs and their impact on the Earth. Applications include passive detection of solar burst phenomena, direct imaging of synchrotron emission from CMEs, as well as propagation and scattering studies through the solar corona and the interplanetary medium. A synergistic combination of a ground based LWA and the space-borne coronagraphs such as on board the STEREO mission could prove to be an extremely powerful tool to understand the interplanetary propagation of solar disturbances. The LWA could also prove a useful compliment to FASR - with LWA lower frequency observations triggering higher frequency FASR targeted follow-ups. If co-located in reasonable proximity the LWA might also provide FASR with a real-time ionospheric model to permit accurate astrometry after corrections for ionospheric refraction. A future radar transmitter would enable the LWA to become an ideal solar radar receiver to image Earth-ward bound CMEs for geomagnetic storm prediction. Basic research in radio astronomy at the Naval Research Laboratory is supported by the Office of Naval Research.
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