Topic: First High-Res, Low Frequency Radio Image from LOFAR Array

[sam]

Just eight of the eventual forty-four antenna stations for the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) were combined to produce the first high-resolution image of a distant quasar at meter radio wavelengths. The first image shows fine details of the quasar 3C 196, a strong radio source several billion light years away, observed at wavelengths between 4 and 10 m. "We chose this object for the first tests, because we know its structure very well from observations at shorter wavelengths," said Olaf Wucknitz from Bonn University. "The goal was not to find something new but to see the same or similar structures also at very long wavelengths to confirm that the new instrument really works. Without the German stations, we only saw a fuzzy blob, no sub-structure. Once we included the long baselines, all the details showed up."

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/06/01/first-high-res-low-frequency-radio-image-from-lofar-array/

[sam]

bit of interesting follow-up too: http://www.universetoday.com/2010/06/02/scientist-explains-new-lofar-image-of-quasar-3c196/

[Clive]

That's very interesting Sam.   

[sam]

all good progress in the future of radio astronomy, I'm working quite a lot on the polarization survey to be done with ASKAP, the Square Kilometre Array pathfinder in Australia... all very similar and breathtaking computing.

[Clive]

Enjoying one's work is half the battle Sam.