Post on 14-Jan-2016
description
An I3 funded by the EU through FP6
Alastair G Gunn
University of Manchester Jodrell Bank Observatory
OPTICON BOARD MEETING – 11th/12th October 2004, Grenoble
RadioNet:
Advanced Radio Astronomy in Europe
RadioNet Partners & Mission
• RadioNet has 20 partners: all of the major radio astronomy facilities and the laboratories involved in technology development
• Coordinated by the University of Manchester, UK
• Remit is to support the European radio astronomy community and to enhance the European radio astronomy facilities
• RadioNet was awarded €12.4M
The Telescopes & Trans-National Access 1
• Europe has some of the largest and most sophisticated radio telescopes on Earth. These facilities are working together more closely than ever under the RadioNet umbrella.
• Telescopes:– European VLBI Network (EVN) is the most sensitive VLBI array
on Earth. Has three telescopes in 70-100 m class and more are being built – 64-m in Sardinia, IT (2006), 40-m at Yebes, ES (2004);
– IRAM: runs Plateau de Bure (FR) (progenitor of ALMA) and Pico Veleta (ES: largest mm dish in world);
– JCMT in Hawaii, largest sub-mm capable dish in the world;– MERLIN: UK’s 7-telescope array, has the same resolution in
the radio as the HST; being upgraded using fibre optic cables.– MPIfR – Effelsberg (DE) 100-m; 2nd largest steerable dish in the
world;– OSO-20m; highly capable mm dish in Sweden;– WSRT – recently upgraded, 14 –element interferometer in NL
The Telescopes & Trans-National Access 2
Science with RadioNet Facilities: MERLIN & EVN
• MERLIN is the UK’s radio imaging camera: provides radio images with the same level of detail as the Hubble Space Telescope does in the optical
• MERLIN image of nearby galaxy M82 shows ~50 bright spots supernovae
• The European VLBI Network (EVN) provides a zoom capability for more detailed studies of these supernovae
M82: MERLIN
Science with RadioNet Facilities: WSRT
• Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) in the Netherlands is the premier instrument for studies of HI, the most abundant material in the Universe.
• Optical image of M31 compared with WSRT image of HI in the same galaxy.
HI
Optical
Science with RadioNet Facilities: JCMT
• James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii, with SCUBA, has demonstrated the power of sub-mm science. Has been a crucial pathfinder for the Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA).
• Cosmology. Observe dusty, star-forming galaxies in early Universe. SCUBA has found > 100 sub-mm galaxies.
• Star-formation: SCUBA probes through the obscuring dust/gas to reveal
the details underneath• Planets: SCUBA shows us a dusty debris disk around Epsilon Eridani
RadioNet Joint Research Activities (JRAs)
• RadioNet has three JRAS, developing the future technology and software for radio astronomy:
– ALBUS: Advanced Long-Baseline User Softwaredeveloping advanced software for interferometers
– AMSTAR: Advanced mm and sub-mm Technology for Astronomical Researchdeveloping new mm-wave devices
– PHAROS: Phased Arrays for Reflector Observing Systemsdeveloping focal plane phased-arrays
• These developments will be crucial for the construction of ALMA and the SKA.
ALMA
SKA
• RadioNet has six NAs, linking the scientists, engineers and the next generation of researchers:
- Synergyintegrating facility access across Europe
- Science Workshops and Training Groupdissemination of science and the training of young researchers
- European Radio Astronomy Engineering Forumforum for RadioNet engineers
- Software & Users Forumforum for software developers and users
- ALMA Forummaximise European potential from ALMA
- Astronomy across Europelinking the community
- Radio Frequency Managementsolutions to radio frequency interference
RadioNet Networking Activities (NAs)
• RadioNet Mid-Year Report available on website
www.radionet-eu.org
• Good progress has been made in all areas in the 1st year of RadioNet
• Five RadioNet-funded science meetings have been held in 2004- Dense Molecular Gas around Protostars and Galactic Nuclei- Exploring the Cosmic Frontier: Astrophysical Instruments for the 21st Century- Multiwavelength Approaches to AGNs- 7th EVN Symposium- Young European Radio Astronomers Conference (YERAC)
• 2nd RadioNet Board Meeting to be held at JBO on 17th November 2004
RadioNet Highlights
• RadioNet is not enough!the future of radio astronomy in Europe seems to require
a legal organisation, or ‘foundation’, that is small and efficient but draws on the skills of other institutes
• Coordinated Outreach ProgrammesRadioNet would like to collaborate more closely with
OPTICON and ILIAS in outreach programmes
• I3 Forum (12th November 2004, Brussels)RadioNet would like to ask OPTICON whether they
consider that, under FP7, there are benefits to be had from a joint, spectrum-wide astronomy proposal
Strategic Issues