Meter- and decameter-wavelength array for astrophysics and solar radar

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Abstract
We present the scientific motivation and design for a Long Wavelength Array (LWA) to open a new, high resolution window on the electromagnetic spectrum from 15 - 150 MHz. This region has been poorly explored because ionospheric turbulence has limited imaging to very course angular resolution. New phase compensation techniques now make it possible to explore this region at unprecedented angular resolution. We describe a large (greater than 100 km), completely electronic instrument capable of imaging radio sources across the sky and spectrum rapidly, but which could be built at a fraction of the cost of higher frequency systems of comparable size or sophistication. The LWA will be a powerful instrument for delineating the interaction between nonthermal emitting plasmas and thermal absorbing gas, for differentiating between self-absorption processes, and for exploring the universe for coherent emission processes. For both Galactic and extragalactic work it will provide unique information on the distribution of ionized gas, relativistic particles, and magnetic fields. For solar physics the LWA will be the ideal solar radar receiver and can be used to image Earth-ward bound Coronal Mass Ejections for accurate geomagnetic storm prediction.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

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