Rick Perley (NRAO)

The Expanded Very Large Array - Rick Perley Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

The Expanded Very Large Array Project is a major upgrade of the Very Large Array. Begun in 2001, the EVLA Project is now more than 2/3 complete, and is on schedule for completion in 2012. The key goals of the project are to provide continuous frequency coverage from 1 to 50 GHz with a vastly expanded correlator of remarkable power and flexibility.

In this talk, I will describe the current state of the project, with emphasis on the newly available frequency bands and expanded tuning ranges within existing bands -- new capabilities which offer new science opportunities now. I will show recent results from commissioning tests of the WIDAR correlator which is now being installed, and will be available for early science late next year. I will conclude with a projection of the rapid increase in observational capabilities, as the full receiver suite and the WIDAR correlator come on line.