MUNA Lunch Talk:

Wendy Lane Peters

Naval Research Laboratory

The VLA Low Band Ionospheric and Transient Experiment (VLITE)

January 26

12:10PM, Room 230, NRAO, Edgemont Road

Abstract:

The VLA Low band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE), is a system which independently captures signals between 320 and 384 MHz during all normal VLA observations, using a subset of 10 antennas. The data are automatically processed to characterize mid-latitude ionospheric dynamics on fine scales with unprecedented detail and scope. With nearly continuous data acquisition (>3000 hours per year), VLITE will also scan for transient cosmic sources and accumulate a library of sky images for unique astrophysical studies. VLITE was formally accepted on 11/25/2014 and is currently operational. I will present an overview of the system, its science goals, and some early images.