IAU01992
Presentation type requested: ORAL
LOFAR, THE EPOCH OF REIONIZATION AND THE GALACTIC FOREGROUND
Ger de Bruyn
ASTRON
One of the most exciting applications of LOFAR, a new radio observatory designed to operate from 10-240 MHz, is the study of HI redshifted 21cm signals from the Epoch of Reionization (EoR). The frequency/redshift range in which the bulk of the neutral HI dissappeared is still unknown. It is likely that reionization has been very complex and LOFAR may provide the first views on the spatial and spectral characteristics of the 'raw stuff that galaxies will be made of ' during this phase. LOFAR will be able to probe the redshift range from z=6 (where the Universe is largely ionized) to z=12, just above the FM band. We will describe the instrument , the observing strategy and the problems faced. One of the main uncertainties is the level of the spatial and spectral brightness fluctuations in the diffuse Galactic emission. We have started a program at the WSRT to investigate the properties of this foreground at frequencies from 310 -390 MHz and plan to extend this in 2004 to the 120-180 MHz window. First results will be presented.
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