Looking At the Distant Universe with the MeerKAT Array (LADUMA)

TL;DR

The LADUMA project uses the MeerKAT array to conduct a deep 21 cm line survey of the distant universe, aiming to study galaxy evolution, cosmic gas density, and produce a comprehensive multi-wavelength dataset.

Contribution

This paper presents the observing strategy and scientific goals of the first deep HI survey with MeerKAT, targeting the Chandra Deep Field-South for a legacy dataset.

Findings

Designed a 5000-hour deep field survey with MeerKAT.

Aims to detect neutral hydrogen out to high redshift.

Will provide valuable data on galaxy evolution and cosmic gas.

Abstract

The MeerKAT (64 x 13.5m dish radio interferometer) is South Africa's precursor instrument for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), exploring dish design, instrumentation, and the characteristics of a Karoo desert site and is projected to be on sky in 2016. One of two top-priority, Key Projects is a single deep field, integrating for 5000 hours total with the aim to detect neutral atomic hydrogen through its 21 cm line emission out to redshift unity and beyond. This first truly deep HI survey will help constrain fueling models for galaxy assembly and evolution. It will measure the evolution of the cosmic neutral gas density and its distribution over galaxies over cosmic time, explore evolution of the gas in galaxies, measure the Tully-Fisher relation, measure OH maser counts, and address many more topics. Here we present the observing strategy and envisaged science case for this unique deep field, which encompasses the Chandra Deep Field-South (and the footprints of GOODS, GEMS and several other surveys) to produce a singular legacy multi-wavelength data-set.