ATUC Meeting, 14 May 2009, Astro Issues Robert Braun

ATUC Meeting, 14 May 2009, Astro IssuesRobert Braun

CSIRO ATUC, Astro Issues

Recent Science Highlights

GASS: DRI• δ ≤ +1, -400 < VLSR < +500 km/s • 16 arcmin, 1 km/s, ΔTB ~ 57 mK• ΔNHI (@ ΔV = 30 km/s) ~ 5 x 1017 cm-2



GASS early science• Large population of small clouds:

30 pc, 600 MSun • Cloud-to-cloud dispersion of 18 km/s,

scale-height 400 pc• Association with star-formation driven

processes in spiral arms (SN, winds)



Parkes Methanol Multi-Beam Survey• Final observing just completed, first papers published



Parkes MMB Survey• -2 < b < +2, -180 < l +60, Methanol 6668 & OH 6035 MHz• Deep Pulsar Piggyback region• ATCA or Merlin follow-up of new detections



Parkes MMB Survey, early science• Detection of Methanol masers in

both the near- and far 3 kpc spiral arms



First case of large-scale HI associated with an FRII



First case of large-scale HI associated with an FRII • 2x109 MSun with ΔV ~ 850 km/s, implies MDyn ~ 3x1012

sin-2i



First case of large-scale HI associated with an FRII • 2x109 MSun with ΔV ~ 850 km/s, implies MDyn ~ 3x1012

sin-2i• HI bridge of 400 kpc to gas-rich companion• Smoking gun of past/ongoing merger/interaction



The most accurate pulsar distance determination to date• LBA trigonometric parallax of this P-WD binary achieves 1% precision



The most accurate pulsar distance determination to date• LBA trigonometric parallax of this P-WD binary achieves 1%

precision • Parallax distance, together with binary period derivative yield

competitive (with prospects for improvement) constraint on time variability of GĠ/G = -5 +/- 26 x 1013 yr-1

• Constraint on stochastic GWB amplitude (~1 x 10-14) from timing vs. parallax distances comparable to best current limits



The highest velocity “water fountain” yet seen• Total velocity spread of ~ 400 km/s seen from the 32 H2O maser

spots seen in Mopra and ATCA data


Recent Science HighlightsThe highest velocity “water fountain” yet seen• Total velocity spread of ~ 400 km/s seen from the 32 H2O

maser spots seen in Mopra and ATCA data• Spots confined to 0.3 arcsec region with some hint of red/blue

splitting, but no strong collimation• Orientation unclear, but possible seen nearly along jet axis• Source possibly in phase where AGB and early PN winds

collide


Mopra Surveys Meeting Outcomes

Mopra Surveys Meeting: Monday, 3 Nov 2008• Discussion of science drivers for major Mopra surveys• See links below for more info:

http://www.narrabri.atnf.csiro.au/mopra/Survey/SurveyMeeting.html

http://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/surveys/mopra/discussion/index.php

• Identified need for three distinct surveys• 3-mm Survey (~115 GHz) to trace Galactic Structure

• 3-mm Survey (~90 GHz) to trace the chemistry and physical parameters of high-density regions (contact: Jim Jackson)

• 7-mm Survey (42-50 GHz) to trace dense Galactic Structure (contact: Andrew Walsh)

• Pilot proposals submitted in each area in Dec 08• Plans for full proposal submission for Dec 09

http://www.narrabri.atnf.csiro.au/mopra/Survey/SurveyMeeting.html


Astro support of ASKAP Large Surveys

Look to “ASKAP Update” item for details• 38 EoIs with 354 unique authors received 15 Dec 08• 27 invitations to submit Survey proposals by 15 June 09

ATNF Astro support for large surveys• Aim for 0.5 – 1 FTE of post-doc support of each major

survey area (depending on co-funding)• First two post-doc positions (with co-funding from

CSIRO OCE) now advertised (close of 30 June 09)• Mapping the HI Universe• Exploring the Magnetic Universe

• Plan for at least 2 – 3 more in coming 12 months• Depends on continued success of co-funding drive• Open invitation to community for joint positions


Single Dish / Synthesis Schools

Shift to annual (rather than every 2 – 3 years) school with alternating emphasis on Synthesis / Single Dish techniques

• “Single Dish” emphasis School 2009 at Parkes• Week of 21 September?• Mike Keith taking the lead on organization with support

from Phil Edwards & RB


CABB issues

ATCA is first array to enter the ultra-wide-fractional bandwidth regime with CABB’s 2 x 2 GHz

• Fantastic new science opportunities• New calibration and imaging challenges

• Non-negligible source SED and Primary Beam changes across the band

• Shift to casapy or ASKAP software ?

ATUC Meeting, 14 May 2009, Astro Issues Robert Braun

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