About The LWA & The SWC
The Long Wavelength Array (LWA)
The LWA will be a low-frequency radio telescope designed to
produce high-sensitivity, high-resolution images in the frequency range of 10-88 MHz,
thus opening a new astronomical window on one of the most poorly explored regions of
the electromagnetic spectrum. This will be accomplished with large collecting area
(approaching 1 square kilometer at its lowest frequencies) spread over an interferometric
array with baselines up to at least 400 km, located mainly in the state of New Mexico.
The exciting images shown above are of the galaxy Hydra A, mapped at 6 cm and 4 m (74 MHz) with
the VLA. Only at long wavelenghts is the full extent of the source revealed.
Such images have fueled the activity behind the planning and creation of this array.
A good general reference for those interested in learning more about the LWA project is
From Clark Lake to the Long Wavelength Array: Bill Erickson's Radio
Science [ASP Conference Series, Vol. 345, Proceedings of the Conference held
8-11 September, 2004 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Edited by N. Kassim, M. Perez,
M. Junor, and P. Henning]. These Proceedings contain a variety of papers which review
scientific and technical aspects of the project during its early stage.
The Southwest Consortium
The Southwest Consortium of university and research entities has been
created to undertake the task of meeting the scientic and political goals in order
to see the Long Wavelength Array constructed. The Southwest Consortium includes
such esteemed research organizations as the Los Alamos National Laboratories,
The University of New Mexico, and the University of Texas at Austin in partnership
with the Naval Research Laboratory.
LWA Project phone list
LWA Array Configuration (schematic to right)
Current plans are to site the instrument in New Mexico, possibly near the
site of the Very Large Array, but it would encompass interferometer stations spread
throughout and possibly beyond the state of New Mexico. Current plans call for the
start of operations in 2008.
For more information,
click here to download a brief and informative brochure
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