Abstract:
In June 2017, I started a job as a telescope scientist at
ASTRON, based in the Netherlands. This role is a combination of
research and support, which has led to a diverse range of interesting
activities I have been involved in over the last 12 months. On the
research side, I am a member of the First Large Absorption Survey in
HI (FLASH), and within that I am currently PI for a joint HI/X-ray
project called SEAFOG (Studies of eROSITA And FLASH Obscured
Galaxies). With SEAFOG, we aim to study the properties of dense gas
near the cores of active radio galaxies in the context of the feeding
and feedback of gas-rich AGN. I am also leading SWISH, the Survey of
Weak Intensity Southern HI on Parkes, which aims to uncover the hidden
depths of the gaseous Milky Way halo, supported by upcoming follow-up
strategies using the Green Bank Telescope and Hubble Space
Telescope. I will give an update on progress on these projects over
the last year and the exciting future developments to come. Part of my
role also involves playing a key role in the support of ASTRON's
facilities, specifically the low-frequency pan-European instrument
LOFAR and the upgraded Westerbork Telescope, APERTIF. As part of this
talk, I will give an insight into both of these systems, the status of
APERTIF commissioning, and my key contributions in this support role
over the last year. I'll also describe what it is like to work at
ASTRON, a multi-focused, vibrant and growing institute combining
various aspects of research, engineering, software development and
operations.
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