About The LWA & The SWC

The Long Wavelength Array (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.

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 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