The Low Frequency Space Array.
Abstract
A scientific justification and technical description is developed for the construction of a Low Frequency Space Array (LFSA) to carry out full sky mapping and individual source imaging at frequencies between 1.5 and 26.3 MHz; a frequency range over which the Earth's ionosphere transmits poorly or not at all. Such an instrument, with high resolution and high sensitivity, will open a new window in the electromagnetic spectrum to astronomical investigations. It will also bring astronomy to the fundamental limit below which observations from within the Milky Way become impossible due to absorption by the diffuse ionized hydrogen component of the interstellar medium. Many high quality scientific programs can already be specified for such an instrument and, due to the fact that it will be operating in essentially unexplored ranges of freqency, sensitivity and resolution, the likelihood of discovering entirely unexpected objects and processes is large. Also, even though the technology for constructing the elements of the LSFA already exists, its operation as an entirely space based synthesis interferometer will represent a significant advance in space capability. Keywords include: Interferometry, Array, Imaging, Astronomy, Space, and Low frequency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 26, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA177115
Entities
People
- B. K. Dennison
- J. H. Spencer
- K. J. Johnston
- K. W. Weiler
- R. S. Simon
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory