astronomy

Long Wavelength Array

Long Wavelength Array is a astronomy topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Long Wavelength Array rather than just read about it. In short: The Long Wavelength Array (LWA) is a radio telescope in central New Mexico. It began preliminary tests of the hardware in 2011, and began regular operations in late 2015.

Key takeaways

Long Wavelength Array belongs to astronomy; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Long Wavelength Array to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Long Wavelength Array from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Long Wavelength Array (LWA) is a radio telescope in central New Mexico. It began preliminary tests of the hardware in 2011, and began regular operations in late 2015. It is one of the few observatories to utilize relatively low frequencies (10-88 MHz), and is used to study relativistic particles, cosmic evolution, astrophysical plasma, decametric radio emissions from Jupiter-like extrasolar planets, and giant flares from magnetars. As of 2011 it consisted of a single station with 256 antennas. The longer term objective of the project is to build 53 stations in total, with a total of 13,000 dipole antennas strategically placed in an area nearly 400 kilometres (250 miles) 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. The first station, located adjacent to the NRAO's VLA, consists of 256 antennas and was completed in December 2009. It was dedicated in April 2010, and routine operations began in 2011. The second station (LWA2) was under construction about 19 km (12 mi) away as of 2011. The project is a collaboration of UNM, VT, LANL, JPL, NRL, UI, BIRS, NRAO and AFRL.

See also Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder List of astronomical observatories LOFAR MeerKAT Murchison Widefield Array Square Kilometre Array

References

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Long Wavelength Array

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Long Wavelength Array claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In astronomy, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Long Wavelength Array before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Long Wavelength Array ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Long Wavelength Array

In research: Long Wavelength Array appears in astronomy research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Long Wavelength Array in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Long Wavelength Array is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics 2011 establishments in New Mexico, Astronomical observatories in New Mexico, Buildings and structures in Socorro County, New Mexico, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Long Wavelength Array outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Long Wavelength Array in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Long Wavelength Array means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Long Wavelength Array out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Long Wavelength Array in simple terms?

The Long Wavelength Array (LWA) is a radio telescope in central New Mexico. It began preliminary tests of the hardware in 2011, and began regular operations in late 2015.

Why does Long Wavelength Array matter?

Because it connects several astronomy ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Long Wavelength Array?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Long Wavelength Array.