The DRAO Synthesis Telescope in the post-CGPS Era

TL;DR

The paper reviews the capabilities and recent transition of the DRAO Synthesis Telescope from a survey instrument to a proposal-driven observatory, highlighting its imaging strengths in Galactic studies.

Contribution

It introduces the DRAO Synthesis Telescope's current operational status and capabilities for high-resolution, wide-field radio imaging post-CGPS survey.

Findings

Successful imaging of the Milky Way's interstellar medium

High dynamic range and arcminute resolution imaging

Enhanced polarized emission observations

Abstract

The DRAO ST was used for the past 15 years as the primary instrument for the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey. This has been a spectacularly successful project, advancing our understanding of the Milky Way Galaxy through panoramic imaging of the main constituents of the Interstellar Medium. Observations for the CGPS are now complete and the Synthesis Telescope at DRAO has returned to proposal-driven mode. The Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory invites astronomers to apply for observing time with the DRAO Synthesis Telescope. The DRAO ST provides radio observations of atomic hydrogen and radio continuum emission, including the polarized signal, with high spatial dynamic range and arcminute resolution. Imaging techniques developed for the CGPS have made the telescope into a front-line instrument for wide-field imaging, particularly of polarized emission. We will discuss telescope characteristics, show examples of data to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the ST, and explain where and how to apply for observing time.