| Long Wavelength Array | |
| Location | adjacent to the Very Large Array in New Mexico. |
|---|---|
| Wavelength | 3.4–30 m (10–88 MHz) |
| Built | 2009– |
| First light | 7 April 2011 |
| Telescope style | phased array of 50 stations, each with 256 dipole antennas |
| Diameter | 400 km |
| Collecting area | 1 square kilometer |
| Mounting | fixed |
| Website | lwa.phys.unm.edu |
The Long Wavelength Array (LWA) is a radio telescope under construction in central New Mexico. It is one of the few observatories to utilize such low frequencies, and is used to study relativistic particles, cosmic evolution, astrophysical plasma, decametric radio emissions from Jupiter-like extrasolar planets, and giant flares from magnetars.[1]
When complete, it will consist of 53 stations, with a total of 13,000 dipole antennas[2] strategically placed in an area nearly 400 kilometres (250 mi) in diameter, to scan the sky at HF and VHF frequencies. Each antenna stands about 1.5 metres (5 ft) high and about 2.7 metres (9 ft) across the base.[3] The first station, with 256 antennas, is scheduled to start surveying the sky in summer 2011.[2] The second station (LWA2) is under construction about 19 km (12 mi) away.[4]
The project is a collaboration of UNM, VT, LANL, JPL, NRL, UI, BIRS, NRAO and AFRL.[5]