The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey I. survey description and preliminary data release

F. de Gasperin; W. L. Williams; P. Best; M. Bruggen; G. Brunetti; V. Cuciti; T. J. Dijkema; M. J. Hardcastle; M. J. Norden; A. Offringa; T. Shimwell; R. van Weeren; D. Bomans; A. Bonafede; A. Botteon; J. R. Callingham; R. Cassano; K. T. Chyzy; K. L. Emig; H. Edler; M. Haverkorn; G. Heald; V. Heesen; M. Iacobelli; H. T. Intema; M. Kadler; K. Malek; M. Mevius; G. Miley; B. Mingo; L. K. Morabito; J. Sabater; R. Morganti; E. Orru; R. Pizzo; I. Prandoni; A. Shulevski; C. Tasse; M. Vaccari; P. Zarka; H. Rottgering

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey I. survey description and preliminary data release

F. de Gasperin, W. L. Williams, P. Best, M. Bruggen, G. Brunetti, V. Cuciti, T. J. Dijkema, M. J. Hardcastle, M. J. Norden, A. Offringa, T. Shimwell, R. van Weeren, D. Bomans, A. Bonafede, A. Botteon, J. R. Callingham, R. Cassano, K. T. Chyzy, K. L. Emig, H. EdlerM. Haverkorn, G. Heald, V. Heesen, M. Iacobelli, H. T. Intema, M. Kadler, K. Malek, M. Mevius, G. Miley, B. Mingo, L. K. Morabito, J. Sabater, R. Morganti, E. Orru, R. Pizzo, I. Prandoni, A. Shulevski, C. Tasse, M. Vaccari, P. Zarka, H. Rottgering

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Abstract

Context. The LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR)istheonlyradiotelescopethatispresentlycapableofhigh-sensitivity,high-resolution (i.e. < 1mJybeam−1 and < 1500) observations at ultra-low frequencies(< 100MHz). To utilise these capabilities, theLOFAR Surveys Key Science Project is undertaking a large survey to cover the entire northern sky with Low Band Antenna (LBA) observations. Aims. The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS) aims to cover the entire northern sky with 3170 pointings in the frequency range between 42−66 MHz, at a resolution of 1500 and at a sensitivity of 1 mJybeam−1 (1σ). In this work, we outline the survey strategy, the observational status, and the calibration techniques. We also brieﬂy describe several of our scientiﬁc motivations and present the preliminary public data release. Methods. The preliminary images were produced using a fully automated pipeline aimed at correcting all direction-independent eﬀects in the data. Whilst the direction-dependent eﬀects, such as those from the ionosphere, have not yet been corrected, the images presented in this work are still ten times more sensitive than previous available surveys at these low frequencies. Results. The preliminary data release covers 740 deg2 around the HETDEX spring ﬁeld region at an angular resolution of 4700 with a median noise level of 5 mJybeam−1. The images and the catalogue of 25,247 sources have been publicly released. We demonstrate that the system is capable of reaching a root means quare (rms) noise of 1mJybeam−1 and an angular resolution of 1500 once direction dependent eﬀects are accounted for. Conclusions. LoLSS will provide the ultra-low-frequency information for hundreds of thousands of radio sources, providing critical spectral information and producing a unique data set that can be used for a wide range of science topics, such as the search for high red shift galaxies and quasars,thestudyofthemagnetosphereofexoplanets,andthedetectionoftheoldestpopulationsofcosmic-rays in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, as well as those produced by active galactic nuclei (AGN).

Original language	English
Number of pages	19
Journal	Astronomy & Astrophysics
Early online date	17 Feb 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 17 Feb 2021

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astro-ph.IM

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10.1051/0004-6361/202140316Licence: Unspecified

210209238v1
© ESO 2021. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316.
Accepted author manuscript, 4.41 MBLicence: Unspecified

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Gasperin, F. D., Williams, W. L., Best, P., Bruggen, M., Brunetti, G., Cuciti, V., Dijkema, T. J., Hardcastle, M. J., Norden, M. J., Offringa, A., Shimwell, T., Weeren, R. V., Bomans, D., Bonafede, A., Botteon, A., Callingham, J. R., Cassano, R., Chyzy, K. T., Emig, K. L., ... Rottgering, H. (2021). The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey I. survey description and preliminary data release. Astronomy & Astrophysics. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

@article{c90808d93b82407e88a82b27041989c5,

title = "The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey I. survey description and preliminary data release",

abstract = "Context. The LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR)istheonlyradiotelescopethatispresentlycapableofhigh-sensitivity,high-resolution (i.e. < 1mJybeam−1 and < 1500) observations at ultra-low frequencies(< 100MHz). To utilise these capabilities, theLOFAR Surveys Key Science Project is undertaking a large survey to cover the entire northern sky with Low Band Antenna (LBA) observations. Aims. The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS) aims to cover the entire northern sky with 3170 pointings in the frequency range between 42−66 MHz, at a resolution of 1500 and at a sensitivity of 1 mJybeam−1 (1σ). In this work, we outline the survey strategy, the observational status, and the calibration techniques. We also brieﬂy describe several of our scientiﬁc motivations and present the preliminary public data release. Methods. The preliminary images were produced using a fully automated pipeline aimed at correcting all direction-independent eﬀects in the data. Whilst the direction-dependent eﬀects, such as those from the ionosphere, have not yet been corrected, the images presented in this work are still ten times more sensitive than previous available surveys at these low frequencies. Results. The preliminary data release covers 740 deg2 around the HETDEX spring ﬁeld region at an angular resolution of 4700 with a median noise level of 5 mJybeam−1. The images and the catalogue of 25,247 sources have been publicly released. We demonstrate that the system is capable of reaching a root means quare (rms) noise of 1mJybeam−1 and an angular resolution of 1500 once direction dependent eﬀects are accounted for. Conclusions. LoLSS will provide the ultra-low-frequency information for hundreds of thousands of radio sources, providing critical spectral information and producing a unique data set that can be used for a wide range of science topics, such as the search for high red shift galaxies and quasars,thestudyofthemagnetosphereofexoplanets,andthedetectionoftheoldestpopulationsofcosmic-rays in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, as well as those produced by active galactic nuclei (AGN). ",

keywords = "astro-ph.IM",

author = "Gasperin, {F. de} and Williams, {W. L.} and P. Best and M. Bruggen and G. Brunetti and V. Cuciti and Dijkema, {T. J.} and Hardcastle, {M. J.} and Norden, {M. J.} and A. Offringa and T. Shimwell and Weeren, {R. van} and D. Bomans and A. Bonafede and A. Botteon and Callingham, {J. R.} and R. Cassano and Chyzy, {K. T.} and Emig, {K. L.} and H. Edler and M. Haverkorn and G. Heald and V. Heesen and M. Iacobelli and Intema, {H. T.} and M. Kadler and K. Malek and M. Mevius and G. Miley and B. Mingo and Morabito, {L. K.} and J. Sabater and R. Morganti and E. Orru and R. Pizzo and I. Prandoni and A. Shulevski and C. Tasse and M. Vaccari and P. Zarka and H. Rottgering",

note = "{\textcopyright} ESO 2021. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316 ",

year = "2021",

month = feb,

day = "17",

doi = "10.1051/0004-6361/202140316",

language = "English",

journal = "Astronomy & Astrophysics",

issn = "0004-6361",

publisher = "EDP Sciences",

}

Gasperin, FD, Williams, WL, Best, P, Bruggen, M, Brunetti, G, Cuciti, V, Dijkema, TJ, Hardcastle, MJ, Norden, MJ, Offringa, A, Shimwell, T, Weeren, RV, Bomans, D, Bonafede, A, Botteon, A, Callingham, JR, Cassano, R, Chyzy, KT, Emig, KL, Edler, H, Haverkorn, M, Heald, G, Heesen, V, Iacobelli, M, Intema, HT, Kadler, M, Malek, K, Mevius, M, Miley, G, Mingo, B, Morabito, LK, Sabater, J, Morganti, R, Orru, E, Pizzo, R, Prandoni, I, Shulevski, A, Tasse, C, Vaccari, M, Zarka, P & Rottgering, H 2021, 'The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey I. survey description and preliminary data release', Astronomy & Astrophysics. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

TY - JOUR

T1 - The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey I. survey description and preliminary data release

AU - Gasperin, F. de

AU - Williams, W. L.

AU - Best, P.

AU - Bruggen, M.

AU - Brunetti, G.

AU - Cuciti, V.

AU - Dijkema, T. J.

AU - Hardcastle, M. J.

AU - Norden, M. J.

AU - Offringa, A.

AU - Shimwell, T.

AU - Weeren, R. van

AU - Bomans, D.

AU - Bonafede, A.

AU - Botteon, A.

AU - Callingham, J. R.

AU - Cassano, R.

AU - Chyzy, K. T.

AU - Emig, K. L.

AU - Edler, H.

AU - Haverkorn, M.

AU - Heald, G.

AU - Heesen, V.

AU - Iacobelli, M.

AU - Intema, H. T.

AU - Kadler, M.

AU - Malek, K.

AU - Mevius, M.

AU - Miley, G.

AU - Mingo, B.

AU - Morabito, L. K.

AU - Sabater, J.

AU - Morganti, R.

AU - Orru, E.

AU - Pizzo, R.

AU - Prandoni, I.

AU - Shulevski, A.

AU - Tasse, C.

AU - Vaccari, M.

AU - Zarka, P.

AU - Rottgering, H.

N1 - © ESO 2021. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

PY - 2021/2/17

Y1 - 2021/2/17

N2 - Context. The LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR)istheonlyradiotelescopethatispresentlycapableofhigh-sensitivity,high-resolution (i.e. < 1mJybeam−1 and < 1500) observations at ultra-low frequencies(< 100MHz). To utilise these capabilities, theLOFAR Surveys Key Science Project is undertaking a large survey to cover the entire northern sky with Low Band Antenna (LBA) observations. Aims. The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS) aims to cover the entire northern sky with 3170 pointings in the frequency range between 42−66 MHz, at a resolution of 1500 and at a sensitivity of 1 mJybeam−1 (1σ). In this work, we outline the survey strategy, the observational status, and the calibration techniques. We also brieﬂy describe several of our scientiﬁc motivations and present the preliminary public data release. Methods. The preliminary images were produced using a fully automated pipeline aimed at correcting all direction-independent eﬀects in the data. Whilst the direction-dependent eﬀects, such as those from the ionosphere, have not yet been corrected, the images presented in this work are still ten times more sensitive than previous available surveys at these low frequencies. Results. The preliminary data release covers 740 deg2 around the HETDEX spring ﬁeld region at an angular resolution of 4700 with a median noise level of 5 mJybeam−1. The images and the catalogue of 25,247 sources have been publicly released. We demonstrate that the system is capable of reaching a root means quare (rms) noise of 1mJybeam−1 and an angular resolution of 1500 once direction dependent eﬀects are accounted for. Conclusions. LoLSS will provide the ultra-low-frequency information for hundreds of thousands of radio sources, providing critical spectral information and producing a unique data set that can be used for a wide range of science topics, such as the search for high red shift galaxies and quasars,thestudyofthemagnetosphereofexoplanets,andthedetectionoftheoldestpopulationsofcosmic-rays in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, as well as those produced by active galactic nuclei (AGN).

AB - Context. The LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR)istheonlyradiotelescopethatispresentlycapableofhigh-sensitivity,high-resolution (i.e. < 1mJybeam−1 and < 1500) observations at ultra-low frequencies(< 100MHz). To utilise these capabilities, theLOFAR Surveys Key Science Project is undertaking a large survey to cover the entire northern sky with Low Band Antenna (LBA) observations. Aims. The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS) aims to cover the entire northern sky with 3170 pointings in the frequency range between 42−66 MHz, at a resolution of 1500 and at a sensitivity of 1 mJybeam−1 (1σ). In this work, we outline the survey strategy, the observational status, and the calibration techniques. We also brieﬂy describe several of our scientiﬁc motivations and present the preliminary public data release. Methods. The preliminary images were produced using a fully automated pipeline aimed at correcting all direction-independent eﬀects in the data. Whilst the direction-dependent eﬀects, such as those from the ionosphere, have not yet been corrected, the images presented in this work are still ten times more sensitive than previous available surveys at these low frequencies. Results. The preliminary data release covers 740 deg2 around the HETDEX spring ﬁeld region at an angular resolution of 4700 with a median noise level of 5 mJybeam−1. The images and the catalogue of 25,247 sources have been publicly released. We demonstrate that the system is capable of reaching a root means quare (rms) noise of 1mJybeam−1 and an angular resolution of 1500 once direction dependent eﬀects are accounted for. Conclusions. LoLSS will provide the ultra-low-frequency information for hundreds of thousands of radio sources, providing critical spectral information and producing a unique data set that can be used for a wide range of science topics, such as the search for high red shift galaxies and quasars,thestudyofthemagnetosphereofexoplanets,andthedetectionoftheoldestpopulationsofcosmic-rays in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, as well as those produced by active galactic nuclei (AGN).

KW - astro-ph.IM

U2 - 10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

DO - 10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

M3 - Article

SN - 0004-6361

JO - Astronomy & Astrophysics

JF - Astronomy & Astrophysics

ER -

The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey I. survey description and preliminary data release

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