Wide-field broadband radio imaging with phased array feeds: a pilot multi-epoch continuum survey with ASKAP-BETA

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the use of phased array feeds on ASKAP-BETA for rapid, wide-field radio imaging, producing a multi-epoch survey that detects thousands of sources and transient events with high resolution and sensitivity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel survey method using PAFs for efficient wide-area radio imaging and validates its performance through multi-epoch observations and data analysis.

Findings

Successfully imaged 150 square degrees in 12 hours

Cataloged 3,722 radio components with spectral indices

Detected one significantly variable radio source

Abstract

The Boolardy Engineering Test Array is a 6 x 12 m dish interferometer and the prototype of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), equipped with the first generation of ASKAP's phased array feed (PAF) receivers. These facilitate rapid wide-area imaging via the deployment of simultaneous multiple beams within a 30 square degree field of view. By cycling the array through 12 interleaved pointing positions and using 9 digitally formed beams we effectively mimic a traditional 1 hour x 108 pointing survey, covering 150 square degrees over 711 - 1015 MHz in 12 hours of observing time. Three such observations were executed over the course of a week. We verify the full bandwidth continuum imaging performance and stability of the system via self-consistency checks and comparisons to existing radio data. The combined three epoch image has arcminute resolution and a 1-sigma thermal noise level of 375 micro-Jy per beam, although the effective noise is a factor 3 higher due to residual sidelobe confusion. From this we derive a catalogue of 3,722 discrete radio components, using the 35 percent fractional bandwidth to measure in-band spectral indices for 1,037 of them. A search for transient events reveals one significantly variable source within the survey area. The survey covers approximately two-thirds of the Spitzer South Pole Telescope Deep Field. This pilot project demonstrates the viability and potential of using PAFs to rapidly and accurately survey the sky at radio wavelengths.