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At least 37 records · Page 2

The optical very large array and its moon-based version

An Optical Very Large Array (OVLA) is currently in early prototyping stages for ground-based sites, such as Mauna Kea and perhaps the VLT site in Chile. Its concept is also suited for a moon-based interferometer. With a ring of bi-dimensionally mobile telescopes, there is maximal flexibility in the aperture pattern, and no need for delay lines. A circular configuration of many free-flying telescopes, TRIO, is also considered for space interferometers. Finally, the principle of gaseous mirrors may become applicable for moon-based optical arrays. Fifteen years after the first coherent linkage of two optical telescopes, the design of an ambitious imaging array, the OVLA, is now well advanced. Two 1.5 m telescopes have been built and now provide astronomical results. Elements of the OVLA are under construction. Although primarily conceived for ground-based sites, the OVLA structure appears to meet the essential requirements for operation on the Moon.

Labeyrie, Antoine↗

Wafer-scale growth of large arrays of perovskite microplate crystals for functional electronics and optoelectronics

Methylammonium lead iodide perovskite has attracted intensive interest for its diverse optoelectronic applications. However, most studies to date have been limited to bulk thin films that are difficult to implement for integrated device arrays because of their incompatibility with typical lithography processes. We report the first patterned growth of regular arrays of perovskite microplate crystals for functional electronics and optoelectronics. We show that large arrays of lead iodide microplates can be grown from an aqueous solution through a seeded growth process and can be further intercalated with methylammonium iodide to produce perovskite crystals. Structural and optical characterizations demonstrate that the resulting materials display excellent crystalline quality and optical properties. We further show that perovskite crystals can be selectively grown on prepatterned electrode arrays to create independently addressable photodetector arrays and functional field effect transistors. Furthermore, the ability to grow perovskite microplates and to precisely place them at specific locations offers a new material platform for the fundamental investigation of the electronic and optical properties of perovskite materials and opens a pathway for integrated electronic and optoelectronic systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Very Large Array (VLA) observations of coronal loops

Advances in ground based Very Large Array (VLA) observations of the Sun, and how they complement and extend EUV and X-ray observations from space are reviewed. The VLA provides high resolution, full disk images that include hot, dense coronal loops within individual active regions (at 20 cm), and cooler, higher, more extended structures (at 90 cm) that can connect widely separated active regions, describe high lying noise storms, or act as a transition sheath between cool dark filaments and the hot enveloping corona. VLA images of both cool and hot corona loops can be compared with data from most of the SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) instruments, thereby enhancing the scientific return of the SOHO mission beyond that expected from using its instruments alone.

Lang, Kenneth R.↗

Simultaneous Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) and very large array observations of solar active regions

The research deals mainly with Very Large Array and Solar Maximum Mission observations of the ubiquitous coronal loops that dominate the structure of the low corona. As illustrated, the observations of thermal cyclotron lines at microwave wavelengths provide a powerful new method of accurately specifying the coronal magnetic field strength. Processes are delineated that trigger solar eruptions from coronal loops, including preburst heating and the magnetic interaction of coronal loops. Evidence for coherent burst mechanisms is provided for both the Sun and nearby stars, while other observations suggest the presence of currents that may amplify the coronal magnetic field to unexpectedly high levels. The existence is reported of a new class of compact, variable moving sources in regions of apparently weak photospheric field.

Lang, K. R.↗

Very Large Array Ammonia Observations of the HH 111/HH 121 Protostellar System: A Detection of a New Source with a Peculiar Chemistry

We present the results of Very Large Array NH{sub 3} (J,K)=(1,1) and (2,2) observations of the HH 111/HH 121 protostellar system. HH 111, with a spectacular collimated optical jet, is one of the most well-known Herbig–Haro objects. We report the detection of a new source, NH{sub 3}–S, in the vicinity of HH 111/HH 121 (∼0.03 pc from the HH 111 jet source) in two epochs of the ammonia observations. This constitutes the first detection of this source, in a region that has been thoroughly covered previously by both continuum and spectral line interferometric observations. We study the kinematic and physical properties of HH 111 and the newly discovered NH{sub 3}–S. We also use HCO{sup +} and HCN (J=4−3) data obtained with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and archival Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array {sup 13}CO, {sup 12}CO, and C{sup 18}O (J=2−1), N{sub 2}D{sup +} (J=3−2), and {sup 13}CS (J=5−4) data to gain insight into the nature of NH{sub 3}–S. The chemical structure of NH{sub 3}–S shows evidence for “selective freeze-out,” an inherent characteristic of dense cold cores. The inner part of NH{sub 3}–S shows subsonic nonthermal velocity dispersions indicating a “coherent core,” while they increase in the direction of the jets. Archival near- to far-infrared data show no indication of any embedded source in NH{sub 3}–S. The properties of NH{sub 3}–S and its location in the infrared dark cloud suggest that it is a starless core located in a turbulent medium, with the turbulence induced by Herbig–Haro jets and associated outflows. More data are needed to fully understand the physical and chemical properties of NH{sub 3}–S and if/how its evolution is affected by nearby jets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Phasing the antennas of the Very Large Array (VLA) for reception of telemetry from Voyager 2 at Neptune encounter

The Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope is being instrumented at 8.4 GHz to receive telemetry from Voyager 2 during its encounter with Neptune in 1989. The procedure in which the 27 antennas have their phases adjusted in near real time so that the signals from the individual elements of the array can be added coherently is examined. Calculations of the expected signal to noise ratio, tests of the autophasing process at the VLA, and off-line simulations of that process are all presented. Various possible procedures for adjusting the phases are considered. It is shown that the signal to noise ratio at the VLA is adequate for summing the signals from the individual antennas with less than 0.1 dB of loss caused by imperfect coherence among the antennas. Tropospheric variations during the summer of 1989 could cause enough loss of coherence to make the losses higher than 0.1 dB. Experiments show that the losses caused by the troposphere can probably be kept below 0.2 dB if the time delay inherent in the phase adjustment process is no longer than approx. 5 secs. This relatively small combining loss meets the goal estabished to minimize the bit error rate in the Voyager telemetry and implies adequate autophasing of the VLA.

Ulvestad, J. S.↗

Large Array Channel Capacity in the Presence of Interference

We develop a model for a large array ground receiver system for use in deep-space communications, and analyze the resulting array channel capacity. The model includes effects of array geometry, time-dependent spacecraft orbital trajectory, point and extended interference sources, and elevation-dependent noise and tropospheric channel variations. Channel capacity is expressed as the ratio of determinants of covariance matrices characterizing source, interference, and additive noise, and then reduced to a simpler quadratic form more amenable to analysis and numerical computation. This formulation facilitates inclusion of array and channel characteristics into the model, as well as comparison of optimal, suboptimal, and equivalent single antenna configurations on achievable throughput. Realistic examples of ground array channel capacity calculations are presented, demonstrating the impact of array geometry, planetary interference sources, and array combining algorithm design upon the achievable data throughput.

Vilnrotter, V.↗

The Gould's Belt very large array survey. III. The Orion region

We present results from a high-sensitivity (60 μJy), large-scale (2.26 deg{sup 2}) survey obtained with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array as part of the Gould's Belt Survey program. We detected 374 and 354 sources at 4.5 and 7.5 GHz, respectively. Of these, 148 are associated with previously known young stellar objects (YSOs). Another 86 sources previously unclassified at either optical or infrared wavelengths exhibit radio properties that are consistent with those of young stars. The overall properties of our sources at radio wavelengths such as their variability and radio to X-ray luminosity relation are consistent with previous results from the Gould's Belt Survey. Our detections provide target lists for follow-up Very Long Baseline Array radio observations to determine their distances as YSOs are located in regions of high nebulosity and extinction, making it difficult to measure optical parallaxes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Very Large Array search for emission from HI associated with nearby Lyman alpha absorbers

We present a sensitive Very Large Array (VLA) search for H I emission from the vicinity of the Lyman alpha clouds in the Virgo Cluster, which were recently discovered with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in absorption toward the nearest quasar 3C273. We searched an area of 40 by 40 arcmin centered on 3C273, covering a velocity range from 840 to 1840 km/s. The bandpass was self-calibrated on 3C273 leading to a spectral dynamic range of better than 10(exp 5) to 1. No H I was detected. The rms noise in the final images corresponds to a 3 sigma column density sensitivity of 2.8 x 10(exp 19) sq cm on scales of a few kpc. Small H I clouds could have been detected down to a few times 10(exp 6) solar mass. Our failure to detect H I emission at the higher column densities sets a lower limit to the radius of the Lyman alpha clouds of 3.9 kpc, assuming a spherical geometry.

Van Gorkom, J. H.↗

First detection of thermal radio emission from solar-type stars with the Karl G. Jansky very large array

We present the first detections of thermal radio emission from the atmospheres of solar-type stars τ Cet, η Cas A, and 40 Eri A. These stars all resemble the Sun in age and level of magnetic activity, as indicated by X-ray luminosity and chromospheric emission in Ca II H and K lines. We observed these stars with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array with sensitivities of a few μJy at combinations of 10.0, 15.0, and 34.5 GHz. τ Cet, η Cas A, and 40 Eri A are all detected at 34.5 GHz with signal-to-noise ratios of 6.5, 5.2, and 4.5, respectively. 15.0 GHz upper limits imply a rising spectral index greater than 1.0 for τ Cet and 1.6 for η Cas A, at the 95% confidence level. The measured 34.5 GHz flux densities correspond to stellar disk-averaged brightness temperatures of roughly 10,000 K, similar to the solar brightness temperature at the same frequency. We explain this emission as optically thick thermal free-free emission from the chromosphere, with possible contributions from coronal gyroresonance emission above active regions and coronal free-free emission. These and similar quality data on other nearby solar-type stars, when combined with Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array observations, will enable the construction of temperature profiles of their chromospheres and lower transition regions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Radius and brightness temperature observations of Titan at centimeter wavelengths by the Very Large Array

Brightness and radius measurements of the surface of Titan at 6, 2, and 1.3 cm wavelengths obtained with the Very Large Array radio interferometer are presented. Combined results for the three wavelengths indicate that the radius is 2400 + or - 250 km, implying a density of 2.4 + or - 0.7 g/cu cm, and that the brightness temperature is 87 + or - 9 K. The surface temperature may be somewhat higher if the emissivity is less than unity. The new data do not permit a choice between an inversion model for the atmosphere of Titan that predicts a surface temperature of 78 K and a model with both a stratospheric temperature inversion and a modest greenhouse effect that would increase the surface temperature by 10-40 K.

Jaffe, W.↗

Wideband very large array observations of A2256. I. Continuum, rotation measure, and spectral imaging

We report new observations of A2256 with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) at frequencies between 1 and 8 GHz. These observations take advantage of the 2:1 bandwidths available during a single observation to study the spectral index, polarization, and rotation measure as well as using the associated higher sensitivity per unit time to image total intensity features down to ∼0.''5 resolution. We find that the Large Relic, which dominates the cluster, is made up of a complex of filaments that show correlated distributions in intensity, spectral index, and fractional polarization. The rotation measure varies across the face of the Large Relic but is not well correlated with the other properties of the source. The shape of individual filaments suggests that the Large Relic is at least 25 kpc thick. We detect a low surface brightness arc connecting the Large Relic to the Halo and other radio structures, suggesting a physical connection between these features. The center of the F-complex is dominated by a very steep-spectrum, polarized, ring-like structure, F2, without an obvious optical identification, but the entire F-complex does have interesting morphological similarities to the radio structure of NGC 1265. Source C, the Long Tail, is unresolved in width near the galaxy core and is ≲ 100 pc in diameter there. This morphology suggests either that C is a one-sided jet or that the bending of the tails takes place very near the core, consistent with the parent galaxy having undergone extreme stripping. Overall it seems that many of the unusual phenomena can be understood in the context of A2256 being near the pericenter of a slightly off-axis merger between a cluster and a smaller group. Given the lack of evidence for a strong shock associated with the Large Relic, other models should be considered, such as reconnection between two large-scale magnetic domains.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Simultaneous Solar Maximum Mission and Very Large Array (VLA) observations of solar active regions

Simultaneous observations of solar active regions with the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) Satellite and the Very Large Array (VLA) have been obtained and analyzed. Combined results enhance the scientific return for beyond that expeted from using either SMM or VLA alone. A total of two weeks of simultaneous SMM/VLA data were obtained. The multiple wavelength VLA observations were used to determine the temperature and magnetic structure at different heights within coronal loops. These data are compared with simultaneous SMM observations. Several papers on the subject are in progress. They include VLA observations of compact, transient sources in the transition region; simultaneous SMM/VLA observations of the coronal loops in one active region and the evolution of another one; and sampling of the coronal plasma using thermal cyclotron lines (magnetic field - VLA) and soft X ray spectral lines (electron density and electron temperaure-SMM).

Lang, K. R.↗

Phasing the Very Large Array on Galileo in the presence of Jupiter's strong radio emission

Work is in progress to determine the feasibility of using the Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope to receive telemetry from Galileo during its close encounter with Io on 7 Dec. 1995. The VLA was used previously to receive telemetry from Voyager 2 at Neptune. However, Jupiter's strong radio emission is an additional complication in the case of the Galileo encounter. This article analyzes the effect of Jupiter's radio emission on the phase-adjustment procedure ('autophasing') used to maintain coherence among the 27 VLA antennas. Results of an experiment designed to mimic the Io encounter are presented. As expected, Jupiter's strong radio emission has a considerable effect on the autophasing procedure. A simple emission model is found to give a good approximation to the fringe-visibility plots derived from the VLA data, and that successful model is used to estimate the VLA's ability to autophase on Galileo during the Io encounter. The effect of Jupiter should be small for projected baselines longer than approximately 800 m and completely negligible for projected baselines longer than approximately 1.1 km. The most extended configuration of the VLA (the A configuration) probably can be used successfully for telemetry reception during the Io encounter. Further analysis and testing of the effect of correlated noise from Jupiter is necessary before a final decision can be made about the feasibility of using the second largest (B) configuration of the VLA for reception of Galileo telemetry. Use of the B configuration could simplify the upgrades needed to support the Io encounter. Tests to help choose the preferred VLA configuration could be performed by using the VLA to observe the Magellan spacecraft at Venus during Jul. and Oct. 1991. Examination of the effects of planet noise on the VLA have implications beyond the use of that telescope for supporting the Io encounter. The effects of planet radio emission on spacecraft data received by antenna arrays are relevant to choosing the exact locations of antennas that might be built by the Deep Space Network in coming years.

Ulvestad, J. S.↗

A VLA (Very Large Array) Search for 5 GHz Radio Transients and Variables at Low Galactic Latitudes

We present the results of a 5GHz survey with the Very Large Array (VLA) and the expanded VLA, designed to search for short-lived (approx < 1 day) transients and to characterize the variability of radio sources at milli-Jansky levels. A total sky area of 2.66 sq. deg, spread over 141 fields at low Galactic latitudes (b approx equals 6 - 8 deg) was observed 16 times with a cadence that was chosen to sample timescales of days, months and years. Most of the data were reduced, analyzed and searched for transients in near real time. Interesting candidates were followed up using visible light telescopes (typical delays of 1 - 2 hr) and the X-Ray Telescope on board the Swift satellite. The final processing of the data revealed a single possible transient with a flux density of f(sub v) approx equals 2.4mJy. This implies a transients sky surface density of kappa(f(sub v) > 1.8mJy) = 0.039(exp +0.13,+0.18) (sub .0.032,.0.038) / sq. deg (1, 2 sigma confidence errors). This areal density is consistent with the sky surface density of transients from the Bower et al. survey extrapolated to 1.8mJy. Our observed transient areal density is consistent with a Neutron Stars (NSs) origin for these events. Furthermore, we use the data to measure the sources variability on days to years time scales, and we present the variability structure function of 5GHz sources. The mean structure function shows a fast increase on approximately 1 day time scale, followed by a slower increase on time scales of up to 10 days. On time scales between 10 - 60 days the structure function is roughly constant. We find that approx > 30% of the unresolved sources brighter than 1.8mJy are variable at the > 4-sigma confidence level, presumably due mainly to refractive scintillation.

Ofek, E. O.↗

A millisecond interferometric search for fast radio bursts with the very large array

We report on the first millisecond timescale radio interferometric search for the new class of transient known as fast radio bursts (FRBs). We used the Very Large Array (VLA) for a 166 hr, millisecond imaging campaign to detect and precisely localize an FRB. We observed at 1.4 GHz and produced visibilities with 5 ms time resolution over 256 MHz of bandwidth. Dedispersed images were searched for transients with dispersion measures from 0 to 3000 pc cm{sup −3}. No transients were detected in observations of high Galactic latitude fields taken from 2013 September though 2014 October. Observations of a known pulsar show that images typically had a thermal-noise limited sensitivity of 120 mJy beam{sup −1} (8σ; Stokes I) in 5 ms and could detect and localize transients over a wide field of view. Our nondetection limits the FRB rate to less than 7×10{sup 4} sky{sup −1} day{sup −1} (95% confidence) above a fluence limit of 1.5 Jy ms. The VLA rate limit is consistent with past estimates when published flux limits are recalculated with a homogeneous definition that includes effects of primary beam attenuation, dispersion, pulse width, and sky brightness. This calculation revises the FRB rate downward by a factor of 2, giving the VLA observations a roughly 50% chance of detecting a typical FRB, assuming a pulse width of 3 ms. A 95% confidence constraint would require 600 hr of similar VLA observing. Our survey also limits the repetition rate of an FRB to 2 times less than any known repeating millisecond radio transient.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Expanded Very Large Array Nova Project Observations of the Classical NovaV1723 Aquilae

We present radio light curves and spectra of the classical nova VI723 Aql obtained with the Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA). This is the first paper to showcase results from the EVLA Nova Project, which comprises a team of observers and theorists utilizing the greatly enhanced sensitivity and frequency coverage of EVLA radio observations, along with observations at other wavelengths, to reach a deeper understanding of the energetics, morphology, and temporal characteristics of nova explosions. Our observations of VI723 Aql span 1-37 GHz in frequency, and we report on data from 14 to 175 days following the time of the nova explosion. The broad frequency coverage and frequent monitoring show that the radio behavior of VI723 Aql does not follow the classic Hubble-flow model of homologous spherically expanding thermal ejecta. The spectra are always at least partially optically thin, and the flux rises on faster timescales than can be reproduced with linear expansion. Therefore, any description of the underlying physical processes must go beyond this simple picture. The unusual spectral properties and light curve evolution might be explained by multiple emitting regions or shocked material. Indeed, X-ray observations from Swift reveal that shocks are likely present.

Krauss, Miriam I.↗

COLDz: KARL G. JANSKY VERY LARGE ARRAY DISCOVERY OF A GAS-RICH GALAXY IN COSMOS

The broad spectral bandwidth at millimeter and centimeter wavelengths provided by the recent upgrades to the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) has made it possible to conduct unbiased searches for molecular CO line emission at redshifts, z > 1.31. We present the discovery of a gas-rich, star-forming galaxy at z = 2.48 through the detection of CO J = 1-0 line emission in the COLDz survey and through a sensitive, Ka-band (31-39 GHz) VLA survey of a 6.5 arcmin{sup 2} region of the COSMOS field. We argue that the broad line (FWHM ∼ 570 ± 80 km s{sup –1}) is most likely to be CO J = 1-0 at z = 2.48, as the integrated emission is spatially coincident with an infrared-detected galaxy with a photometric redshift estimate of z {sub phot} = 3.2 ± 0.4. The CO J = 1-0 line luminosity is L{sub CO}{sup ′}=(2.2±0.3)×10{sup 10} K km s{sup –1} pc{sup 2}, suggesting a cold molecular gas mass of M {sub gas} ∼ (2-8) × 10{sup 10} M {sub ☉} depending on the assumed value of the molecular gas mass to CO luminosity ratio α{sub CO}. The estimated infrared luminosity from the (rest-frame) far-infrared spectral energy distribution (SED) is L {sub IR} = 2.5 × 10{sup 12} L {sub ☉} and the star formation rate is ∼250 M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1}, with the SED shape indicating substantial dust obscuration of the stellar light. The infrared to CO line luminosity ratio is ∼114 ± 19 L {sub ☉}/(K km s{sup –1} pc{sup 2}), similar to galaxies with similar SFRs selected at UV/optical to radio wavelengths. This discovery confirms the potential for molecular emission line surveys as a route to study populations of gas-rich galaxies in the future.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗