Title :
Exploring the Epoch of Reionization with low-frequency radio telescopes
Author :
Parsons, Aaron R.
Author_Institution :
Univ. of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
Abstract :
The Epoch of Reconization (EoR) represents a major frontier of cosmic evolution yet to be explored. Red-shifted emission from the 21cm hyperfine transition of neutral hydrogen provides a unique tracer of the primordial intergalactic medium. But with foregrounds that exceed the expected EoR signal by more than five orders of magnitude, the level of calibration needed for detecting this signal is unprecedented in the 100-200MHz band expected to encompass EoR. We will discuss the various instrumental approaches underway for achieving the necessary sensitivity and calibration, and discuss plans for second-generation antenna arrays that might explore EoR tomographically.
Keywords :
antenna arrays; cosmology; intergalactic matter; radioastronomy; radiofrequency cosmic radiation; red shift; cosmic evolution; low frequency radiotelescopes; neutral hydrogen hyperfine transition; primordial intergalactic medium tracer; red shifted emission; reionization epoch; second generation antenna arrays; wavelength 21 cm; Antenna arrays; Calibration; Correlation; Imaging; Periodic structures; Radio astronomy; Sensitivity;
Conference_Titel :
General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, 2011 XXXth URSI
Conference_Location :
Istanbul
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-5117-3
DOI :
10.1109/URSIGASS.2011.6051304
