Abstract:
One of the principal systematic constraints on the Epoch of
Reionisation (EoR) experiment is the accuracy of the foreground
calibration model. Recent results have shown that highly accurate
models of extended foreground sources, and including models for
sources in both the primary beam and its sidelobes, are necessary for
reducing foreground power. To improve the source models in the EoR
fields observed by the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), we conducted
the Long Baseline Epoch of Reionisation Survey. This survey consists
of multi-frequency observations, spanning 104 – 230 MHz, of the MWA
EoR fields and their eight neighbouring fields using the MWA Phase II
extended array. These observations provide high-resolution,
(u,v)-components to compliment the existing (u,v)-plane sampling of these
fields. Additionally, due to the better imaging capabilities of the
MWA Phase II extended array, this survey improves upon the sensitivity
of the GLEAM survey by roughly a factor of 5 in the EoR fields. This
talk will present results from the first half of the LoBE survey and
discuss the next steps for foreground modelling for the MWA EoR
experiment.
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