The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey: I. Survey description and preliminary data release

F. de Gasperin; W. L. Williams; P. Best; M. Brüggen; G. Brunetti; V. Cuciti; T. J. Dijkema; M. J. Hardcastle; M. J. Norden; A. Offringa; T. Shimwell; R. van Weeren; D. Bomans; A. Bonafede; A. Botteon; J. R. Callingham; R. Cassano; K. T. Chyży; K. L. Emig; H. Edler; M. Haverkorn; G. Heald; V. Heesen; M. Iacobelli; H. T. Intema; M. Kadler; K. Małek; M. Mevius; G. Miley; B. Mingo; L. K. Morabito; J. Sabater; R. Morganti; E. Orrú; R. Pizzo; I. Prandoni; A. Shulevski; C. Tasse; M. Vaccari; P. Zarka; H. Röttgering

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey: I. Survey description and preliminary data release

F. de Gasperin^*, W. L. Williams, P. Best, M. Brüggen, G. Brunetti, V. Cuciti, T. J. Dijkema, M. J. Hardcastle, M. J. Norden, A. Offringa, T. Shimwell, R. van Weeren, D. Bomans, A. Bonafede, A. Botteon, J. R. Callingham, R. Cassano, K. T. Chyży, K. L. Emig, H. EdlerM. Haverkorn, G. Heald, V. Heesen, M. Iacobelli, H. T. Intema, M. Kadler, K. Małek, M. Mevius, G. Miley, B. Mingo, L. K. Morabito, J. Sabater, R. Morganti, E. Orrú, R. Pizzo, I. Prandoni, A. Shulevski, C. Tasse, M. Vaccari, P. Zarka, H. Röttgering

^*Corresponding author for this work

Astronomy

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Abstract

Context. The LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) is the only radio telescope that is presently capable of high-sensitivity, high-resolution (i.e. < 1 mJy beam⁻¹ and < 15″) observations at ultra-low frequencies (< 100 MHz). To utilise these capabilities, the LOFAR Surveys Key Science Project is undertaking a large survey to cover the entire northern sky with Low Band Antenna (LBA) observations.
Aims: The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS) aims to cover the entire northern sky with 3170 pointings in the frequency range between 42 − 66 MHz, at a resolution of 15″ and at a sensitivity of 1 mJy beam⁻¹ (1σ). In this work, we outline the survey strategy, the observational status, and the calibration techniques. We also briefly describe several of our scientific motivations and present the preliminary public data release.
Methods: The preliminary images were produced using a fully automated pipeline aimed at correcting all direction-independent effects in the data. Whilst the direction-dependent effects, such as those from the ionosphere, have not yet been corrected, the images presented in this work are still ten times more sensitive than previous available surveys at these low frequencies.
Results: The preliminary data release covers 740 deg² around the HETDEX spring field region at an angular resolution of 47″ with a median noise level of 5 mJy beam⁻¹. The images and the catalogue of 25 247 sources have been publicly released. We demonstrate that the system is capable of reaching a root mean square (rms) noise of 1 mJy beam⁻¹ and an angular resolution of 15″ once direction-dependent effects are accounted for.
Conclusions: LoLSS will provide the ultra-low-frequency information for hundreds of thousands of radio sources, providing critical spectral information and producing a unique data set that can be used for a wide range of science topics, such as the search for high redshift galaxies and quasars, the study of the magnetosphere of exoplanets, and the detection of the oldest populations of cosmic-rays in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, as well as those produced by active galactic nuclei.

Table 4 and Fig. 11 (FITS) are available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/648/A104

Original language	English
Article number	A104
Number of pages	18
Journal	Astronomy and astrophysics
Volume	648
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316
Publication status	Published - 1-Apr-2021

Keywords

surveys
catalogs
radio continuum: general
techniques: image processing
Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics

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LOFAR LBA Sky Survey. I.
De Gasperin, G. F. (Contributor), Williams, W. L. (Contributor), Best, P. (Contributor), Brüggen, M. (Contributor), Cuciti, V. (Contributor), Mingo, B. (Contributor), Brunetti, G. (Contributor), Callingham, J. R. (Contributor), Edler, H. (Contributor), Shimwell, T. (Contributor), Offringa, A. (Contributor), Pizzo, R. (Contributor), Mevius, M. (Contributor), Vaccari, M. (Contributor), Morganti, R. (Contributor), Dijkema, T. J. (Contributor), Kadler, M. (Contributor), Orrú, E. (Contributor), Van Weeren, W. R. (Contributor), Sabater, J. (Contributor), Haverkorn, M. (Contributor), Intema, H. T. (Contributor), Zarka, P. (Contributor), Bomans, D. (Contributor), Röttgering, H. (Contributor), Heald, G. (Contributor), Emig, K. L. (Contributor), Heesen, V. (Contributor), Botteon, A. (Contributor), Norden, M. J. (Contributor), Prandoni, I. (Contributor), Miley, G. (Contributor), Bonafede, A. (Contributor), Shulevski, A. (Contributor), Cassano, R. (Contributor), Małek, K. (Contributor), Hardcastle, M. J. (Contributor), Iacobelli, M. (Contributor), Morabito, L. K. (Contributor) & Tasse, C. (Contributor), Strasbourg Astronomical Data Center, 22-Apr-2021
DOI: 10.26093/cds/vizier.36480104
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de Gasperin, F., Williams, W. L., Best, P., Brüggen, M., Brunetti, G., Cuciti, V., Dijkema, T. J., Hardcastle, M. J., Norden, M. J., Offringa, A., Shimwell, T., van Weeren, R., Bomans, D., Bonafede, A., Botteon, A., Callingham, J. R., Cassano, R., Chyży, K. T., Emig, K. L., ... Röttgering, H. (2021). The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey: I. Survey description and preliminary data release. Astronomy and astrophysics, 648, [A104]. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

@article{6bd4f92b015145a69458c620abcdfe22,

title = "The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey: I. Survey description and preliminary data release",

abstract = "Context. The LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) is the only radio telescope that is presently capable of high-sensitivity, high-resolution (i.e. < 1 mJy beam−1 and < 15″) observations at ultra-low frequencies (< 100 MHz). To utilise these capabilities, the LOFAR Surveys Key Science Project is undertaking a large survey to cover the entire northern sky with Low Band Antenna (LBA) observations. Aims: The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS) aims to cover the entire northern sky with 3170 pointings in the frequency range between 42 − 66 MHz, at a resolution of 15″ and at a sensitivity of 1 mJy beam−1 (1σ). In this work, we outline the survey strategy, the observational status, and the calibration techniques. We also briefly describe several of our scientific motivations and present the preliminary public data release. Methods: The preliminary images were produced using a fully automated pipeline aimed at correcting all direction-independent effects in the data. Whilst the direction-dependent effects, such as those from the ionosphere, have not yet been corrected, the images presented in this work are still ten times more sensitive than previous available surveys at these low frequencies. Results: The preliminary data release covers 740 deg2 around the HETDEX spring field region at an angular resolution of 47″ with a median noise level of 5 mJy beam−1. The images and the catalogue of 25 247 sources have been publicly released. We demonstrate that the system is capable of reaching a root mean square (rms) noise of 1 mJy beam−1 and an angular resolution of 15″ once direction-dependent effects are accounted for. Conclusions: LoLSS will provide the ultra-low-frequency information for hundreds of thousands of radio sources, providing critical spectral information and producing a unique data set that can be used for a wide range of science topics, such as the search for high redshift galaxies and quasars, the study of the magnetosphere of exoplanets, and the detection of the oldest populations of cosmic-rays in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, as well as those produced by active galactic nuclei. Table 4 and Fig. 11 (FITS) are available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/648/A104",

keywords = "surveys, catalogs, radio continuum: general, techniques: image processing, Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics",

author = "{de Gasperin}, F. and Williams, {W. L.} and P. Best and M. Br{\"u}ggen and G. Brunetti and V. Cuciti and Dijkema, {T. J.} and Hardcastle, {M. J.} and Norden, {M. J.} and A. Offringa and T. Shimwell and {van Weeren}, R. and D. Bomans and A. Bonafede and A. Botteon and Callingham, {J. R.} and R. Cassano and Chy{\.z}y, {K. T.} and Emig, {K. L.} and H. Edler and M. Haverkorn and G. Heald and V. Heesen and M. Iacobelli and Intema, {H. T.} and M. Kadler and K. Ma{\l}ek and M. Mevius and G. Miley and B. Mingo and Morabito, {L. K.} and J. Sabater and R. Morganti and E. Orr{\'u} and R. Pizzo and I. Prandoni and A. Shulevski and C. Tasse and M. Vaccari and P. Zarka and H. R{\"o}ttgering",

year = "2021",

month = apr,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1051/0004-6361/202140316",

language = "English",

volume = "648",

journal = "Astronomy & astrophysics",

issn = "0004-6361",

publisher = " EDP Sciences",

}

de Gasperin, F, Williams, WL, Best, P, Brüggen, M, Brunetti, G, Cuciti, V, Dijkema, TJ, Hardcastle, MJ, Norden, MJ, Offringa, A, Shimwell, T, van Weeren, R, Bomans, D, Bonafede, A, Botteon, A, Callingham, JR, Cassano, R, Chyży, KT, Emig, KL, Edler, H, Haverkorn, M, Heald, G, Heesen, V, Iacobelli, M, Intema, HT, Kadler, M, Małek, K, Mevius, M, Miley, G, Mingo, B, Morabito, LK, Sabater, J, Morganti, R, Orrú, E, Pizzo, R, Prandoni, I, Shulevski, A, Tasse, C, Vaccari, M, Zarka, P & Röttgering, H 2021, 'The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey: I. Survey description and preliminary data release', Astronomy and astrophysics, vol. 648, A104. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

TY - JOUR

T1 - The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey

T2 - I. Survey description and preliminary data release

AU - de Gasperin, F.

AU - Williams, W. L.

AU - Best, P.

AU - Brüggen, M.

AU - Brunetti, G.

AU - Cuciti, V.

AU - Dijkema, T. J.

AU - Hardcastle, M. J.

AU - Norden, M. J.

AU - Offringa, A.

AU - Shimwell, T.

AU - van Weeren, R.

AU - Bomans, D.

AU - Bonafede, A.

AU - Botteon, A.

AU - Callingham, J. R.

AU - Cassano, R.

AU - Chyży, K. T.

AU - Emig, K. L.

AU - Edler, H.

AU - Haverkorn, M.

AU - Heald, G.

AU - Heesen, V.

AU - Iacobelli, M.

AU - Intema, H. T.

AU - Kadler, M.

AU - Małek, K.

AU - Mevius, M.

AU - Miley, G.

AU - Mingo, B.

AU - Morabito, L. K.

AU - Sabater, J.

AU - Morganti, R.

AU - Orrú, E.

AU - Pizzo, R.

AU - Prandoni, I.

AU - Shulevski, A.

AU - Tasse, C.

AU - Vaccari, M.

AU - Zarka, P.

AU - Röttgering, H.

PY - 2021/4/1

Y1 - 2021/4/1

N2 - Context. The LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) is the only radio telescope that is presently capable of high-sensitivity, high-resolution (i.e. < 1 mJy beam−1 and < 15″) observations at ultra-low frequencies (< 100 MHz). To utilise these capabilities, the LOFAR Surveys Key Science Project is undertaking a large survey to cover the entire northern sky with Low Band Antenna (LBA) observations. Aims: The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS) aims to cover the entire northern sky with 3170 pointings in the frequency range between 42 − 66 MHz, at a resolution of 15″ and at a sensitivity of 1 mJy beam−1 (1σ). In this work, we outline the survey strategy, the observational status, and the calibration techniques. We also briefly describe several of our scientific motivations and present the preliminary public data release. Methods: The preliminary images were produced using a fully automated pipeline aimed at correcting all direction-independent effects in the data. Whilst the direction-dependent effects, such as those from the ionosphere, have not yet been corrected, the images presented in this work are still ten times more sensitive than previous available surveys at these low frequencies. Results: The preliminary data release covers 740 deg2 around the HETDEX spring field region at an angular resolution of 47″ with a median noise level of 5 mJy beam−1. The images and the catalogue of 25 247 sources have been publicly released. We demonstrate that the system is capable of reaching a root mean square (rms) noise of 1 mJy beam−1 and an angular resolution of 15″ once direction-dependent effects are accounted for. Conclusions: LoLSS will provide the ultra-low-frequency information for hundreds of thousands of radio sources, providing critical spectral information and producing a unique data set that can be used for a wide range of science topics, such as the search for high redshift galaxies and quasars, the study of the magnetosphere of exoplanets, and the detection of the oldest populations of cosmic-rays in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, as well as those produced by active galactic nuclei. Table 4 and Fig. 11 (FITS) are available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/648/A104

AB - Context. The LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) is the only radio telescope that is presently capable of high-sensitivity, high-resolution (i.e. < 1 mJy beam−1 and < 15″) observations at ultra-low frequencies (< 100 MHz). To utilise these capabilities, the LOFAR Surveys Key Science Project is undertaking a large survey to cover the entire northern sky with Low Band Antenna (LBA) observations. Aims: The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS) aims to cover the entire northern sky with 3170 pointings in the frequency range between 42 − 66 MHz, at a resolution of 15″ and at a sensitivity of 1 mJy beam−1 (1σ). In this work, we outline the survey strategy, the observational status, and the calibration techniques. We also briefly describe several of our scientific motivations and present the preliminary public data release. Methods: The preliminary images were produced using a fully automated pipeline aimed at correcting all direction-independent effects in the data. Whilst the direction-dependent effects, such as those from the ionosphere, have not yet been corrected, the images presented in this work are still ten times more sensitive than previous available surveys at these low frequencies. Results: The preliminary data release covers 740 deg2 around the HETDEX spring field region at an angular resolution of 47″ with a median noise level of 5 mJy beam−1. The images and the catalogue of 25 247 sources have been publicly released. We demonstrate that the system is capable of reaching a root mean square (rms) noise of 1 mJy beam−1 and an angular resolution of 15″ once direction-dependent effects are accounted for. Conclusions: LoLSS will provide the ultra-low-frequency information for hundreds of thousands of radio sources, providing critical spectral information and producing a unique data set that can be used for a wide range of science topics, such as the search for high redshift galaxies and quasars, the study of the magnetosphere of exoplanets, and the detection of the oldest populations of cosmic-rays in galaxies, clusters of galaxies, as well as those produced by active galactic nuclei. Table 4 and Fig. 11 (FITS) are available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/648/A104

KW - surveys

KW - catalogs

KW - radio continuum: general

KW - techniques: image processing

KW - Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics

U2 - 10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

DO - 10.1051/0004-6361/202140316

M3 - Article

SN - 0004-6361

VL - 648

JO - Astronomy & astrophysics

JF - Astronomy & astrophysics

M1 - A104

ER -

The LOFAR LBA Sky Survey: I. Survey description and preliminary data release

Abstract

Keywords

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LOFAR LBA Sky Survey. I.

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