Speaker
Description
Construction of SKA-Low is well underway, with four full stations already operational in the current Array Assembly (AA0.5), and at least another twelve stations expected to be integrated into the array by the end of this year. SKA-Low AA0.5 is already being used to progress a comprehensive suite of Science Commissioning activities. Through our first tests of SKA-Low’s interferometric and tied-array capability, we have been able to generate first images of calibrator fields and detect several tens of known pulsars. This presentation will share an overview and update of SKA-Low Science Commissioning activities, and throughout the talk I will focus in particular on the key role that MWA experience and outputs are playing in enabling that progress. From the gold-standard sky models derived from the GLEAM family of surveys, to the catalog of low-frequency pulsars developed by the SMART survey, I’ll share one viewpoint into the ways that MWA is enabling SKA-Low to jumpstart progress in unlocking the full potential of the telescope. I’ll conclude with a look ahead to where the commissioning process will take us in the years to come and as MWA enters its Phase 3 era.
