Urgent replacement of Hydrogen maser frequency standard for e-MERLIN and VLBI.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
e-MERLIN is the UK's national facility for radio astronomy imaging. With 7 telescopes across the UK, linked by a dedicated optical fibre network to a powerful correlattion hub at Jodrell Bank Observatory, the array provides radio imaging at centimetre wavelengths with similar resolution to the optical images produced by the Hubble Space Telescope. When radiop telescopes at JBO are joined with others in Europe and around the world, images at even greater resolution can be produced allowing for example the physical processes near black holes to be studied. The 76-m Lovell Telescope at JBO is still one of the worlds most productive in terms of studying pulsars (spiining neutron stars) and in conjunction with other telescopes acrtoss Europe is searching for the signals of gravitational waves by making the most accurate timing measuremenrs of pulsars. All these observations require a reliable, stable and accurate time and frequency standard in order to coherently combine signals from separate telescopes and to mke the most precise timing measurements. The 'gold standard' frequency standard (or clock)for these measurements is a type of atomic clock known as a hydrogen maser. JBO purchased an H-maser almost 30 years ago when these were first adopted by radio astronomy obsservatories, but this is now well past its expected lifetime and had had to be repaired several times. Its crucial position in our observing system means that we need to replace it now.
Planned Impact
Scientific and technical research and development in radio astronomy has a broad impact on society as well as scientific advance in many of the Science Challenges outlined by STFC. e-MERLIN, VLBI and Lovell Telescope research projects will have impact in all four of the key STFC science areas: work on pulsars and gravitational waves allow precise tests of gravity and fundamental physics (STFC Science Challenges C2, D1, D2, D3); searching for fast radio bursts, transients and potential signals from extra-terrestrial intelligence (B3, C4); observations of planet and star-formation probe some of the crucial and poorly understood phases in these processes (B1, A6); studies of galaxy formation and evolution will allow significant advance in understanding how when and where galaxies formed the bulk of their stars (A4, A5) and experiments in cosmic shear and gravitational lensing probe dark matter and dark energy (A3, C4, C5). All these observations require the sensitivity provided by the cryogenic receivers, whose components are requested here.
The wider impact of radio astronomy research is a key part of activities at Jodrell Bank Observatory and the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, which now has over 160,000 visitors/year and a dedicated schools programme reaching more than 10,000 pupils/yr. e-MERLIN science and technology form an important part those exhibits and activities and e-MERLIN staff gives talks and presentations at various levels at many events in the Discovery Centre and elsewhere, including music and science festivals attended by up to 20,000 visitors.
Radio astronomy technology developed as part of e-MERLIN and VLBI has had a major impact on the UK participation in the Square Kilometre Array project: the UK leads ths signal and data transport consortium for SKA, based on its experience and expertise from e-MERLIN and e-VLBI. Radio astronomy technology has had a wide impact in general, from the development of low noise amplifiers, large parabolic antennas, algorithms for image processing and medical imaging; wi-fi technology was developed by radio astronomers in Australia, following the experiments with dedicated hardware for radio astronomy signal processing.
The wider impact of radio astronomy research is a key part of activities at Jodrell Bank Observatory and the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, which now has over 160,000 visitors/year and a dedicated schools programme reaching more than 10,000 pupils/yr. e-MERLIN science and technology form an important part those exhibits and activities and e-MERLIN staff gives talks and presentations at various levels at many events in the Discovery Centre and elsewhere, including music and science festivals attended by up to 20,000 visitors.
Radio astronomy technology developed as part of e-MERLIN and VLBI has had a major impact on the UK participation in the Square Kilometre Array project: the UK leads ths signal and data transport consortium for SKA, based on its experience and expertise from e-MERLIN and e-VLBI. Radio astronomy technology has had a wide impact in general, from the development of low noise amplifiers, large parabolic antennas, algorithms for image processing and medical imaging; wi-fi technology was developed by radio astronomers in Australia, following the experiments with dedicated hardware for radio astronomy signal processing.
Organisations
- University of Manchester (Lead Research Organisation)
- Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) (Collaboration)
- Max Planck Society (Collaboration)
- University of Pisa (Collaboration)
- Chalmers University of Technology (Collaboration)
- ASTRON Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (Collaboration)
- Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) (Collaboration)
- Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE) (Collaboration)
- MIT Lincoln Laboratory (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- National Geographic Institute (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Simon Garrington (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Bhandari S
(2023)
Constraints on the Persistent Radio Source Associated with FRB 20190520B Using the European VLBI Network
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Mohan P
(2020)
The Nearby Luminous Transient AT2018cow: A Magnetar Formed in a Subrelativistically Expanding Nonjetted Explosion
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Rodríguez-Kamenetzky A
(2022)
Resolving the Collimation Zone of an Intermediate-mass Protostellar Jet
in The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Giroletti Marcello
(2020)
EVN 6.7 GHz detection of AT2019wey on milliarcsecond scales
in The Astronomer's Telegram
Perez-Torres M.
(2019)
Mass-loss rate constraints from e-MERLIN observations of the Type Iax SN 2019muj
in The Astronomer's Telegram
Perez-Torres M.
(2019)
Radio detection of the tidal disruption event AT2019azh
in The Astronomer's Telegram
Perez-Torres M.
(2019)
Unambiguous radio detection of the tidal disruption event AT2019dsg with e-MERLIN
in The Astronomer's Telegram
Perrott Y
(2023)
Sub-kpc radio jets in the brightest central galaxy of the cool-core galaxy cluster RXJ1720.1+2638
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Jiang P
(2024)
VLBI detection of the AE Aqr twin, LAMOST J024048.51+195226.9
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Brooks J
(2022)
Revealing dual radio sources in a sub-kpc-scale binary active galactic nucleus candidate
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Marecki A
(2023)
The structure at the centre of the giant radio galaxy GRS J0844+4627: a compact symmetric object?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Baldi R
(2021)
LeMMINGs III. The e- MERLIN legacy survey of the Palomar sample: exploring the origin of nuclear radio emission in active and inactive galaxies through the [O iii ] - radio connection
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Congiu E
(2020)
The radio structure of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 Mrk 783 with VLBA and e-MERLIN
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Chibueze J
(2022)
A MeerKAT, e-MERLIN, H.E.S.S., and Swift search for persistent and transient emission associated with three localized FRBs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Njeri A
(2023)
SPARCS-North Wide-field VLBI Survey: exploring the resolved µJy extragalactic radio source population with EVN + e-MERLIN
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Harrison I
(2020)
SuperCLASS - III. Weak lensing from radio and optical observations in Data Release 1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
North E
(2021)
WISDOM project - VIII. Multiscale feedback cycles in the brightest cluster galaxy NGC 0708
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rhodes L
(2021)
An early peak in the radio light curve of short-duration gamma-ray burst 200826A
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Manning S
(2020)
SuperCLASS - II. Photometric redshifts and characteristics of spatially resolved µ Jy radio sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Muxlow T
(2020)
The e-MERGE Survey (e-MERLIN Galaxy Evolution Survey): overview and survey description
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rhodes L
(2022)
Jet-cocoon geometry in the optically dark, very high energy gamma-ray burst 201216C
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Rosario D
(2021)
Fundamental differences in the radio properties of red and blue quasars: kiloparsec-scale structures revealed by e-MERLIN
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Williams D
(2022)
LeMMINGs - IV. The X-ray properties of a statistically complete sample of the nuclei in active and inactive galaxies from the Palomar sample
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Njeri A
(2024)
The VLBA CANDELS GOODS-North Survey. II - Wide-field source catalogue comparison between the VLBA, EVN, e -MERLIN, and VLA
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Worrall D
(2020)
A high-resolution view of the jets in 3C 465
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Baldi R
(2021)
LeMMINGs - II. The e -MERLIN legacy survey of nearby galaxies. The deepest radio view of the Palomar sample on parsec scale
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Battye R
(2020)
SuperCLASS - I. The super cluster assisted shear survey: Project overview and data release 1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Marcote B.
(2020)
GRB 201015A: 5-GHz radio afterglow detection with the EVN
in GRB Coordinates Network
Piro L
(2021)
The fast radio burst FRB 20201124A in a star-forming region: Constraints to the progenitor and multiwavelength counterparts
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Giarratana S
(2022)
VLBI observations of GRB 201015A, a relatively faint GRB with a hint of very high-energy gamma-ray emission
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Giarratana S
(2023)
Multi-scale VLBI observations of the candidate host galaxy of GRB 200716C
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Morford J
(2020)
COBRaS: The e-MERLIN 21 cm Legacy survey of Cygnus OB2
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
De Becker M
(2024)
High-resolution radio imaging of the two particle-accelerating colliding-wind binaries HD 167971 and HD 168112
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
| Description | The award supports the continued operation of e-MERLIN and EVN, used by hundreds of scientists in the UK and around the world, to work on many of the key science challenges identified by STFC including studies of the formation of planets around other stars, the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies, the energetic processes around black holes and compact objects, the nature and distribution of dark matter. e-MERLIN also develops and advances techniques in analogue and digital signal processing and image processing. |
| Exploitation Route | e-MERLIN and EVN projects feed into the current and future astronomy projects including the Square Kilometre Array |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) |
| URL | http://e-merlin.ac.uk |
| Description | The award will contribute to the continued operation of the e-MERLIN/VLBI National Facility at Jodrell Bank Observatory. This underpins the scientific operation and output of Jodrell Bank, supporting the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, which attracts over 160,000 visitors/yr including a large schools programme, major music/science festivals, public lecture series etc. Jodrell Bank was inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 2019, recognising its contribution to the development of radio astronomy and its continuing scientific output.The scientific vitality of e-MERLIN and Jodrell Bank Observatory is also key to the presence of the international HQ of the Square Kilometre Array Organisation, responsible for the design, construction and operation of the Square Kilometre Array - one of the world's largest science experiments/facilities and now an international governmental organisation bound by treaty. The equipment has been commissioned and was brought into operation in mid 2019 and now contributes to improved frequency stability and timing precision. Observations being made since then have been published and will continue to be publishedin the coming months and years. We have recently started to do some work with Dstl, including participation in a NATO Sensors and Electronics Technology Group (SET-293) on Space Situational Awareness which would involve synchronisation of bistatic long baseline radar using the Hydrogen maser |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic |
| Description | STFC PPRP |
| Amount | £12,500,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 04/2023 |
| Description | NATO SET-293 |
| Organisation | ASTRON Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Observations of satellites and space debris using bistatic radar. We used e-MERLIN telescopes as receivers, processed and analysed the data to make measurements of satellite clusters and space debris in MEO and GEO orbits. |
| Collaborator Contribution | radar analysis techniques |
| Impact | Presentations at NATO workshops and symposia |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | NATO SET-293 |
| Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Observations of satellites and space debris using bistatic radar. We used e-MERLIN telescopes as receivers, processed and analysed the data to make measurements of satellite clusters and space debris in MEO and GEO orbits. |
| Collaborator Contribution | radar analysis techniques |
| Impact | Presentations at NATO workshops and symposia |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | NATO SET-293 |
| Organisation | MIT Lincoln Laboratory |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Observations of satellites and space debris using bistatic radar. We used e-MERLIN telescopes as receivers, processed and analysed the data to make measurements of satellite clusters and space debris in MEO and GEO orbits. |
| Collaborator Contribution | radar analysis techniques |
| Impact | Presentations at NATO workshops and symposia |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | NATO SET-293 |
| Organisation | University of Pisa |
| Department | Faculty of Engineering |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Observations of satellites and space debris using bistatic radar. We used e-MERLIN telescopes as receivers, processed and analysed the data to make measurements of satellite clusters and space debris in MEO and GEO orbits. |
| Collaborator Contribution | radar analysis techniques |
| Impact | Presentations at NATO workshops and symposia |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Opticon-RadioNet Pilot |
| Organisation | ASTRON Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Provision of transnational access to e-MERLIN and European VLBI Network. Collaborative work on development, improvement and harmonisation of user services for transnational access to optical and radio facilities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of transnational access to a wide range of optical and radio facilities. Improvments to users services. education and training European astronomical community. |
| Impact | Provision of transnational access to wide range of european optical and radio astronomy facilities |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Opticon-RadioNet Pilot |
| Organisation | Chalmers University of Technology |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of transnational access to e-MERLIN and European VLBI Network. Collaborative work on development, improvement and harmonisation of user services for transnational access to optical and radio facilities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of transnational access to a wide range of optical and radio facilities. Improvments to users services. education and training European astronomical community. |
| Impact | Provision of transnational access to wide range of european optical and radio astronomy facilities |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Opticon-RadioNet Pilot |
| Organisation | Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE) |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Provision of transnational access to e-MERLIN and European VLBI Network. Collaborative work on development, improvement and harmonisation of user services for transnational access to optical and radio facilities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of transnational access to a wide range of optical and radio facilities. Improvments to users services. education and training European astronomical community. |
| Impact | Provision of transnational access to wide range of european optical and radio astronomy facilities |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Opticon-RadioNet Pilot |
| Organisation | Max Planck Society |
| Department | Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of transnational access to e-MERLIN and European VLBI Network. Collaborative work on development, improvement and harmonisation of user services for transnational access to optical and radio facilities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of transnational access to a wide range of optical and radio facilities. Improvments to users services. education and training European astronomical community. |
| Impact | Provision of transnational access to wide range of european optical and radio astronomy facilities |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Opticon-RadioNet Pilot |
| Organisation | National Geographic Institute |
| Country | Spain |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provision of transnational access to e-MERLIN and European VLBI Network. Collaborative work on development, improvement and harmonisation of user services for transnational access to optical and radio facilities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of transnational access to a wide range of optical and radio facilities. Improvments to users services. education and training European astronomical community. |
| Impact | Provision of transnational access to wide range of european optical and radio astronomy facilities |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Opticon-RadioNet Pilot |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Provision of transnational access to e-MERLIN and European VLBI Network. Collaborative work on development, improvement and harmonisation of user services for transnational access to optical and radio facilities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of transnational access to a wide range of optical and radio facilities. Improvments to users services. education and training European astronomical community. |
| Impact | Provision of transnational access to wide range of european optical and radio astronomy facilities |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Opticon-RadioNet Pilot |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of transnational access to e-MERLIN and European VLBI Network. Collaborative work on development, improvement and harmonisation of user services for transnational access to optical and radio facilities |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of transnational access to a wide range of optical and radio facilities. Improvments to users services. education and training European astronomical community. |
| Impact | Provision of transnational access to wide range of european optical and radio astronomy facilities |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | RadioNet |
| Organisation | Max Planck Society |
| Department | Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy |
| Country | Germany |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | transnational access to e-MERLIN and EVN; R&D in calibration/imaging |
| Collaborator Contribution | transnational access; R&D for radio astronomy instrumentation |
| Impact | transnational access to multiple radio astronomy facilities in Europe resulting in published research, improvements to radio astronomy instrumentation |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | BLUEDOT2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | PUBLIC TALK AT BLUEDOT FESTIVAL |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | BLUEDOT2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk at Bluedot festival including recent e-MERLIN observations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Public Lecture at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public Lecture on e-MERLIN and Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Public Talk - Lichfield Science & Engineering Soc |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | public talk on development and science of Jodrell Bank & e-MERLIN |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | lovell60 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Public talk at Jodrell Bank Discover Centre |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |