The WEAVE-LOFAR Survey

D. J. B. Smith, P. N. Best, K. J. Duncan, N. A. Hatch, M. J. Jarvis, H. J. A. Röttgering, C. J. Simpson, J. P. Stott, R. K. Cochrane, K. E. Coppin, H. Dannerbauer, T. A. Davis, J. E. Geach, C. L. Hale, M. J. Hardcastle, P. W. Hatfield, R. C. W. Houghton, N. Maddox, S. L. McGee, L. MorabitoD. Nisbet, M. Pandey-Pommier, I. Prandoni, A. Saxena, T. W. Shimwell, M. Tarr, I. van Bemmel, A. Verma, G. J. White, W. L. Williams

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

238 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In these proceedings we highlight the primary scientific goals and design of the WEAVE-LOFAR survey, which will use the new WEAVE spectrograph on the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope to provide the primary source of spectroscopic information for the LOFAR Surveys Key Science Project. Beginning in 2018, WEAVE-LOFAR will generate more than 10$^6$ R=5000 365-960 nm spectra of low-frequency selected radio sources, across three tiers designed to efficiently sample the redshift-luminosity plane, and produce a data set of enormous legacy value. The radio frequency selection, combined with the high multiplex and throughput of the WEAVE spectrograph, make obtaining redshifts in this way very efficient, and we expect that the redshift success rate will approach 100 per cent at z < 1. This unprecedented spectroscopic sample – which will be complemented by an integral field component – will be transformational in key areas, including studying the star formation history of the Universe, the role of accretion and AGN-driven feedback, properties of the epoch of reionisation, cosmology, cluster haloes and relics, as well as the nature of radio galaxies and protoclusters. Each topic will be addressed in unprecedented detail, and with the most reliable source classifications and redshift information in existence.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the SF2A conference
PublisherSociete Francaise d'Astronomie et d'Astrophysique
Publication statusPublished - 14 Oct 2016
EventSF2A Conference 2016 - Lyon, France
Duration: 10 Oct 201614 Oct 2016

Conference

ConferenceSF2A Conference 2016
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityLyon
Period10/10/1614/10/16

Keywords

  • astro-ph.GA

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The WEAVE-LOFAR Survey'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this