Searching for low-frequency radio-synchrotron emission from the filaments of the Cosmic Web with NenuFAR

Project Description:

The Cosmic Web houses some of the largest-scale structures in our Universe: galaxy clusters and filaments. The formation history of these structures may result in their hosting a hot gaseous component, which would account for the vast majority of the baryonic mass of the Universe. Furthermore, this component may emit radio-synchrotron emission which could be directly detected by radio instruments operating at the lowest frequencies. This detection is one of the key scientific goals of the SKA-Low, as it may help determine whether there could be a cosmological origin to large-scale (Mpc) magnetic fields, or whether they form strictly through astrophysical processes (e.g. structure formation, AGN activity).. This project consists of imaging data taken with an SKA precursor operating at very low frequencies, the NenuFAR telescope located near the village of Nan¸cay, France. This is a very sensitive array with unusual observational properties (low resolution, large field of view, high sensitivity), which makes it an ideal test-bed for next-generation radio interferometry at the lowest frequencies. The candidate will reduce NenuFAR data taken as part of NenuFAR’s Cosmic Filaments and Magnetism Long-Term project. The resulting images will be analysed and cross-matched with the known objects in the vicinity of the clusters. This may result in a publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, time permitting..

Research Area:

Astronomy

Project Level:

Masters

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(UCT)

Special Requirements:

The student is expected to show interest in radio-interferometric data reduction as well as good skills in Python programming. The student will be taught the use of reduction software such as DP3 and wsclean, but previous experience will be highly appreciated.