Elaine Sadler (CSIRO - Sydney Uni)

Elaine Sadler Colloquium: New views of the distant Universe with wide-field radio telescopes

Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

Radio telescopes are highly efficient machines for probing the distant universe and measuring the cosmic evolution of galaxies and their central black holes. In this talk, I’ll present some first results from projects currently in progress with the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) and the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and explain how each of these telescopes provides us with a new view of the distant Universe.

For ASKAP, I’ll show some first results from a 21cm HI absorption search that allows us to identify and study clouds of neutral hydrogen in distant galaxies at a time when the Universe was less than half its current age. For MWA, I’ll describe a pilot survey using the new technique of Wide-Field Interplanetary Scintillation to probe the small-scale structure of distant radio sources (with some surprising results). I’ll also briefly discuss some links to future work with the Square Kilometre Array, and say a few words about my new role as ATNF Chief Scientist at CASS.