RadioNet: Advanced Radio Astronomy in Europe

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1 RadioNet: Advanced Radio Astronomy in Europe An I3 funded by the EU through FP6 Philip Diamond RadioNet Co-ordinator University of Manchester Jodrell Bank Observatory ILIAS 2 nd ANNUAL MEETING 7 th /8 th February 2005, Prague

2 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

3 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.

4 The Telescopes & Trans-National Access 2 Telescopes: European VLBI Network (EVN) is the most sensitive VLBI array on Earth. Has three telescopes in 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); JCMTin 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; 2 nd largest steerable dish in the world; OSO-20m; highly capable mm dish in Sweden; WSRT recently upgraded, 14 element interferometer in NL

5 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 M82: MERLIN 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. Highest resolution in astronomy.

6 Science with RadioNet Facilities: MERLIN & EVN EVN and JIVE (one of RadioNet partners) developing spacecraft tracking capability. Used for Huygens, in conjunction with Doppler tracking can reconstruct 3-D trajectory of Huygens through atmosphere of Titan. Hope to use for Chinese Lunar Project, Venus Express and Bepi Columbo

7 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

8 Science with RadioNet Facilities: JCMT James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii, with SCUBA, has demonstrated the power of submm 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

9 Science with RadioNet Facilities: Single dishes Europe runs some of the largest and most capable single-dishes on Earth: 100m Effelsberg; 30m Pico Veleta Used for large-scale surveys, large-area imaging, pulsar timing etc. RadioNet JRA PHAROS developing prototype focal-plane arrays will revolutionise single-dish capabilities. Double pulsar discovery by Manchester group in 2004 highly significant for gravitational wave astronomers

10 Science with RadioNet Facilities: Single dishes Europe runs some of the largest and most capable single-dishes on Earth: 100m Effelsberg; 30m Pico Veleta Used for large-scale surveys, large-area imaging, pulsar timing etc. RadioNet JRA PHAROS developing prototype focal-plane arrays will revolutionise single-dish capabilities. Double pulsar discovery by Manchester group in 2004 highly significant for gravitational wave astronomers.

11 RadioNet Joint Research Activities (JRAs) RadioNet has three JRAS, developing the future technology and software for radio astronomy: ALBUS: Advanced Long-Baseline User Software developing advanced software for interferometers AMSTAR: Advanced mm and sub-mm Technology for Astronomical Research developing new mm-wave devices PHAROS: Phased Arrays for Reflector Observing Systems developing focal plane phased-arrays These developments will be crucial for the construction and development of ALMA and the SKA. ALMA SKA

12 RadioNet Networking Activities (NAs) RadioNet has six NAs, linking the scientists, engineers and the next generation of researchers: - Synergy integrating facility access across Europe - Science Workshops and Training Group dissemination of science and the training of young researchers - European Radio Astronomy Engineering Forum forum for RadioNet engineers - Software & Users Forum forum for software developers and users - ALMA Forum maximise European potential from ALMA - Astronomy across Europe linking the community - Radio Frequency Management solutions to radio frequency interference

13 RadioNet Highlights RadioNet First Annual Report to Brussels in 3 days RadioNet website is main portal for information and knowledge: Good progress has been made in all areas in the 1 st year of RadioNet Several RadioNet-funded science/technical meetings have been held in Dense Molecular Gas around Protostars and Galactic Nuclei - Exploring the Cosmic Frontier: Astrophysical Instruments for the 21 st Century - Multiwavelength Approaches to AGNs - 7 th EVN Symposium - Young European Radio Astronomers Conference (YERAC) -ALMA Community Day - Digital backends workshop

14 Science/workshops in the next 18 months Stellar Endproducts, Granada April The Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect, Paris Q1 New Technologies in Receiver Development, Medicina, IT Q1 Low frequency Interferometers on the Moon Q1 Software Forum Q1 Cosmic Magnetism (Bologna) Q2 Models of Star Forming Regions with ALMA, SE Q2 IRAM mm school (Toledo) Q2 Summer School on Frequency Management Q2 European Radio Interferometry School (Manchester/JBO) Q3 Next Generation VLBI Correlator, JIVE, Dwingeloo, NL Q3 YERAC (Cagliari) Q3 Complex molecules in Space: Present Status and Prospects with ALMA, Denmark Q3 LOFAR Science incl astro-particles (ILIAS) Q Cryogenic Low Noise Amplifiers, OSO, SE Q ALMA Global Meeting, Madrid Q2 2006

15 Strategic Issues RadioNet is not enough! the future of radio astronomy in Europe seems to require an umbrella organisation to provide greater coherence and integration as we enter the era of Big Science. RadioNet is providing the vehicle for discussions of the future. Coordinated Outreach Programmes RadioNet would like to collaborate more closely with OPTICON and ILIAS in outreach programmes. RadioNet will shortly appoint a dedicated outreach officer SKA Design Study Major EC and nationally-funded R&D programme developing phased-array technology for Square Kilometre Array

16 The Future LOFAR : 2006 strong link with ILIAS & astro-particle physics SCUBA-2 submm survey instrument on JCMT : 2006 Yebes 40m (EVN) : 2006 e-evn - VLBI over Geant : 2006/7 e-merlin 30x increase in sensitivity: 2008 SRT 64m (EVN) : 2007 ALMA : 2009 first science, 2012 operational SKA : The fourth generation of radio astronomy A true revolution in capability, 100x collecting area of VLA, multiuser instrument start construction

17 The Future LOFAR : 2006 SCUBA-2 submm survey instrument on JCMT : 2006 Yebes 40m (EVN) : 2006 e-evn - VLBI over Geant : 2006/7 e-merlin 30x increase in sensitivity: 2008 SRT 64m (EVN) : 2007 ALMA : 2009 first science, 2012 operational SKA : 2014 start construction