article · Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
The Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array is a staged radio astronomy experiment designed to measure 21 cm emissions from the early universe. Following the publication of initial results from the phase I array in 2022, deployment of the phase II system is approaching completion. Alongside detailing the design and future upgrade paths for the system, work has progressed on instrument commissioning. Operating as a designated pathfinder for the Square Kilometre Array, the project provides several case studies analysing systematic issues and signal contamination encountered during testing. Because such technical pathologies frequently appear across different radio instruments, identifying their origins enables effective mitigation strategies that can assist the design, construction, and operation of future telescope arrays.
Observing the origins of the universe demands exceptionally sensitive radio instruments that are vulnerable to subtle errors and signal contamination. Documenting practical engineering challenges and solutions during the commissioning of pathfinder instruments provides vital technical knowledge, helping international teams design and operate the next generation of large radio astronomy facilities more reliably.
The work provides applied technical guidance for observatory engineers, instrumentation consortia, and hardware designers developing large radio telescope arrays. While this is early-stage applied research within scientific infrastructure rather than a direct market product, the documented contamination mitigation methods and system design lessons can be applied directly to the planning and operation of future facilities such as the Square Kilometre Array.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Abstract This paper presents the design and deployment of the Hydrogen Epoch of Reionization Array (HERA) phase II system. HERA is designed as a staged experiment targeting 21 cm emission measurements of the Epoch of Reionization. First results from the phase I array are published as of early 2022, and deployment of the phase II system is nearing completion. We describe the design of the phase II system and discuss progress on commissioning and future upgrades. As HERA is a designated Square Kilometre Array pathfinder instrument, we also show a number of “case studies” that investigate systematics seen while commissioning the phase II system, which may be of use in the design and operation of future arrays. Common pathologies are likely to manifest in similar ways across instruments, and many of these sources of contamination can be mitigated once the source is identified.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1088/1538-3873/ad3122
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
