Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder: I. System Description

TL;DR

ASKAP is a large-scale radio telescope with advanced phased array technology, enabling rapid, high-resolution sky surveys over large areas, advancing research in galaxy formation, cosmology, and transient phenomena.

Contribution

This paper details the design and capabilities of ASKAP, highlighting its large field of view, phased array feeds, and rapid imaging capabilities as a novel implementation.

Findings

Deploys phased array feed technology on a large scale

Provides 31 square degrees field of view at 800 MHz

Achieves 10 arcsecond resolution with rapid imaging

Abstract

In this paper we describe the system design and capabilities of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope at the conclusion of its construction project and commencement of science operations. ASKAP is one of the first radio telescopes to deploy phased array feed (PAF) technology on a large scale, giving it an instantaneous field of view that covers 31 square degrees at 800 MHz. As a two-dimensional array of 36x12m antennas, with baselines ranging from 22m to 6km, ASKAP also has excellent snapshot imaging capability and 10 arcsecond resolution. This, combined with 288 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth and a unique third axis of rotation on each antenna, gives ASKAP the capability to create high dynamic range images of large sky areas very quickly. It is an excellent telescope for surveys between 700 MHz and 1800 MHz and is expected to facilitate great advances in our understanding of galaxy formation, cosmology and radio transients while opening new parameter space for discovery of the unknown.