Third-Generation Calibrations for MeerKAT Observation

Superclusters and galaxy clusters offer a wide range of astrophysical science topics with regards to studying the evolution and distribution of galaxies, intra-cluster magnetization mediums, cosmic ray accelerations and large scale diffuse radio sources all in one observation. Recent developments in...

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Main Authors: Viral Parekh, Robert Kincaid, Benjamin Hugo, Athanaseus Ramaila, Nadeem Oozeer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-11-01
Series:Galaxies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/9/4/90
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author Viral Parekh
Robert Kincaid
Benjamin Hugo
Athanaseus Ramaila
Nadeem Oozeer
author_facet Viral Parekh
Robert Kincaid
Benjamin Hugo
Athanaseus Ramaila
Nadeem Oozeer
author_sort Viral Parekh
collection DOAJ
description Superclusters and galaxy clusters offer a wide range of astrophysical science topics with regards to studying the evolution and distribution of galaxies, intra-cluster magnetization mediums, cosmic ray accelerations and large scale diffuse radio sources all in one observation. Recent developments in new radio telescopes and advanced calibration software have completely changed data quality that was never possible with old generation telescopes. Hence, radio observations of superclusters are a very promising avenue to gather rich information of a large-scale structure (LSS) and their formation mechanisms. These newer wide-band and wide field-of-view (FOV) observations require state-of-the-art data analysis procedures, including calibration and imaging, in order to provide deep and high dynamic range (DR) images with which to study the diffuse and faint radio emissions in supercluster environments. Sometimes, strong point sources hamper the radio observations and limit the achievement of a high DR. In this paper, we have shown the DR improvements around strong radio sources in the MeerKAT observation of the Saraswati supercluster by applying newer third-generation calibration (3GC) techniques using CubiCal and killMS software. We have also calculated the statistical parameters to quantify the improvements around strong radio sources. This analysis advocates for the use of new calibration techniques to maximize the scientific returns from new-generation telescopes.
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spelling doaj.art-785b29b039e14b71aca447bb86ef60572023-11-23T08:26:03ZengMDPI AGGalaxies2075-44342021-11-01949010.3390/galaxies9040090Third-Generation Calibrations for MeerKAT ObservationViral Parekh0Robert Kincaid1Benjamin Hugo2Athanaseus Ramaila3Nadeem Oozeer4South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2 Fir Street, Black River Park, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South AfricaDepartment of Physics and Electronics, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda 6140, South AfricaSouth African Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2 Fir Street, Black River Park, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South AfricaSouth African Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2 Fir Street, Black River Park, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South AfricaSouth African Radio Astronomy Observatory, 2 Fir Street, Black River Park, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South AfricaSuperclusters and galaxy clusters offer a wide range of astrophysical science topics with regards to studying the evolution and distribution of galaxies, intra-cluster magnetization mediums, cosmic ray accelerations and large scale diffuse radio sources all in one observation. Recent developments in new radio telescopes and advanced calibration software have completely changed data quality that was never possible with old generation telescopes. Hence, radio observations of superclusters are a very promising avenue to gather rich information of a large-scale structure (LSS) and their formation mechanisms. These newer wide-band and wide field-of-view (FOV) observations require state-of-the-art data analysis procedures, including calibration and imaging, in order to provide deep and high dynamic range (DR) images with which to study the diffuse and faint radio emissions in supercluster environments. Sometimes, strong point sources hamper the radio observations and limit the achievement of a high DR. In this paper, we have shown the DR improvements around strong radio sources in the MeerKAT observation of the Saraswati supercluster by applying newer third-generation calibration (3GC) techniques using CubiCal and killMS software. We have also calculated the statistical parameters to quantify the improvements around strong radio sources. This analysis advocates for the use of new calibration techniques to maximize the scientific returns from new-generation telescopes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/9/4/90diffuse radio sourcesradio galaxiesgalaxy clustersnext-generation radio telescopes
spellingShingle Viral Parekh
Robert Kincaid
Benjamin Hugo
Athanaseus Ramaila
Nadeem Oozeer
Third-Generation Calibrations for MeerKAT Observation
Galaxies
diffuse radio sources
radio galaxies
galaxy clusters
next-generation radio telescopes
title Third-Generation Calibrations for MeerKAT Observation
title_full Third-Generation Calibrations for MeerKAT Observation
title_fullStr Third-Generation Calibrations for MeerKAT Observation
title_full_unstemmed Third-Generation Calibrations for MeerKAT Observation
title_short Third-Generation Calibrations for MeerKAT Observation
title_sort third generation calibrations for meerkat observation
topic diffuse radio sources
radio galaxies
galaxy clusters
next-generation radio telescopes
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4434/9/4/90
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AT benjaminhugo thirdgenerationcalibrationsformeerkatobservation
AT athanaseusramaila thirdgenerationcalibrationsformeerkatobservation
AT nadeemoozeer thirdgenerationcalibrationsformeerkatobservation