ASKAP and MeerKAT surveys of the Magellanic Clouds

TL;DR

This paper discusses ASKAP and MeerKAT radio surveys of the Magellanic Clouds, aiming to enhance understanding of galaxy evolution and star formation through detailed observations of these nearby dwarf galaxies.

Contribution

It introduces two SKA Pathfinder programs, GASKAP and MagiKAT, which will provide new detailed radio observations of the Magellanic Clouds, bridging gaps with infrared surveys.

Findings

Deep HI and OH survey of the Magellanic Clouds planned

High-resolution studies of selected regions proposed

Integration with infrared data enhances galaxy evolution insights

Abstract

The Magellanic Clouds are a stepping stone from the overwhelming detail of the Milky Way in which we are immersed, to the global characteristics of galaxies both in the nearby and distant universe. They are interacting, gas-rich dwarf galaxies of sub-solar metallicity, not unlike the building blocks that assembled the large galaxies that dominate groups and clusters, and representative of the conditions at the height of cosmic star formation. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) can make huge strides in understanding galactic metabolism and the ecological processes that govern star formation, by observations of the Magellanic Clouds and other, nearby Magellanic-type irregular galaxies. Two programmes with SKA Pathfinders attempt to pave the way: the approved Galactic ASKAP Spectral Line Survey (GASKAP) includes a deep survey in HI and OH of the Magellanic Clouds, whilst MagiKAT is proposed to perform more detailed studies of selected regions within the Magellanic Clouds - also including Faraday rotation measurements and observations at higher frequencies. These surveys also close the gap with the revolutionizing surveys at far-IR wavelengths with the Spitzer Space Telescope and Herschel Space Observatory.