Data Acquisition

Philip Diamond

RadioNet Coordinator

University of Manchester

Jodrell Bank Observatory

Overall Objectives

MTR: 12 April 2007 Grenoble

RadioNet in 2003

•RadioNet grew out of an FP5 InfrastructureCooperation Network (also called Radionet); this inturn had its roots in the EVN, a ‘bottom-up’organisation started in 1980 – radio astronomershave had to cooperate to perform VLBI.

•A quote from the original proposal:

‘The general objective of RadioNet is to ensure that key developments inRadio Astronomy are supported on a European-wide basis, poolingtogether the broad range of skills, resources and expertise that exists withinthe RadioNet family, providing a critical mass that will ensure that progressis not made slowly in isolation but quickly and efficiently, via a broad-based,yet well-focused scientific and engineering collaboration.’

Objectives

•To provide an integrated radio astronomy network which will ensure that Europeanscientists have access to world-class facilities;

•To provide an integrated research and development programme which will supportand enhance European radio astronomy facilities;

•To develop a programme of networking activities which will ensure close Europeancollaboration in engineering, software development and science. Networking in thismanner will result in major enhancements that will not otherwise have beenpossible and will significantly strengthen all aspects of European radio astronomy;

•To train the next generation of astronomers to use the current state-of-the-art andfuture radio astronomy facilities;

•To train and nurture the next generation of engineers who will build the instrumentsof the future;

•To promote a common and unified approach to user support across the Europeanradio facilities;

•To prepare for the next generation of world-class radio astronomy facilities througha wide discussion of their scientific motivation, through integrated research anddevelopment initiatives, and through the planning of the future structure ofEuropean radio astronomy;

•To strengthen the entire European astronomical community via the development ofclose and effective links with our partner I3s: OPTICON and EURO-VO.

Achieving Objectives

•The Networking Activities (NAs) were designed to achieve thespecified goals:

–NA2: Synergy – principle deliverable is NorthStar proposal tool,adopted by majority of RadioNet facilities, also promotes common highstandard of user support

–NA3, NA4: Science, Engineering Forum – two most successfulactivities – meetings on huge range of topics, from detailed engineeringdiscussions to cosmic magnetism and radio astronomy from the Moon.Also nurturing of next generation through YERAC, EVN Symposia,interferometry schools etc.

–NA6: ALMA Forum – provide link between traditional cm-wave radioand mm/submm, crucial as ALMA is under construction.

–NA7: originally conceived as linking with Opticon, EURO-VO etc buthas grown to encompass outreach, public education, SKA involvementand planning for the future of radio astronomy in Europe.

–NA8: spectrum management – a crucial but unglamorous aspect of ourwork. Europe works better together than separately.

•JRAs designed to address key areas of development requiredto support and extend existing facilities – see next talks

Trans-National Access

•All major European facilities involved. See bottom row for frequency coverage.LOFAR will fill in some holes

Participants

•Number of participants, originally 20, grew to 24 in 2006

Inst

TNA

ALBUS

AMSTAR

PHAROS

Inst

TNA

ALBUS

AMSTAR

PHAROS

UMAN

Koln

IRAM

FG-IGN

IRA

Delft

JCMT

ESO

JIVE

UBir

MPIfR

ESF

Astron

Mecsa

OSO

CSIRO

Torun

UCam

RAL

NRF

SRON

LOFAR

OPAR

Bord.