African VLBI Network Training Site

Project list 2016          To apply, please Click here. (Training Application tab)

 

Project Title: Improving Photometric Redshift Estimation Techniques

Brief Project Description:

In this project we will use photometric and spectroscopic data of Luminous Red Galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Twelfth Data Release DR12 in order to analyse the precision of the Photometrci redshift calculated using a number of publicly available Phot_Z_codes (i.e. Hyperz, ANNZ, Le Phare, BPZ, EASY, Zebra). We will also use the Virtual Observatory tools to compile many large astronomical catalogs for simple and quick cross matching based on coordinates with results from other surveys. This will allow us to identify how reliable codes are relative to each other if used as described in their public release.

Supervisor: Dr Khadija EL Bouchefry (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: 

Project File: MSc_Project_AVN_PhotoZ.pdf

 

 

 

Project Title: The Virtual Observatory Tools: Search for Fossil Galaxy Groups

Brief Project Description: 

The aim of this project is to search for fossil galaxy groups in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Twelfth Data Release DR12. Since a fossil group can be better recognised by correlating its optical image with its X-ray emission, the work involves multi-wavelength analysis, in which the use of the VO is invaluable. The following Virtual Observatory and related technologies will be used in this work: Open SkyQuery, SQL (Structured Query Language) in SDSS CasJobs, and Open SkyQuery tool(XMATH), and ADQL (Astronomical Data Query Language) in the NVO (National Virtual Observatory) tool Open Sky Query.

Supervisor: Dr Khadija EL Bouchefry (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s:

Project File: Msc_Project_AVN_FOSSIL.pdf

 

 

 

Project Title: The Virtual Observatory Tools to re-Investigate Faint Radio Sources Population 

Brief Project Description: 

The aim of this project is to explore and characterise the nature of the optical, Infrared/mid- Infrared and X-ray counterparts of the faint radio sources and their environment. In this VO search we will also use spectroscopic information from SDSS DR12 and use it to discriminate between AGN and Star-forming. We will also use a series of VO tools: OpenSky Portal, TOPCAT, VOPlot, Cross Comparison Tool, VOSpec

Supervisor: Dr Khadija EL Bouchefry (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s:

Project File: Msc_Project_AVN_RadioSources.pdf

 

 

 

Project Title: Masers and The Massive Star Formation Process

Brief Project Description: 

The aim of this project is to probe and investigate the massive star-forming region using radio data from Hartebeesthoek radio astronomy observatory (Hartrao) and infrared archived data from WISE and Spitzer surveys to determine where each phase of these massive starforming can be found. Hartrao have monitored a large sample of a hydroxyl, water and methanol masers. For archived infrared data we will be using Virtual Observatory (VO, see below for a brief description) tools to compile data from WISE and Spitzer surveys. The VO tools that we will be using are: TOPCAT, ALADIN, XMatch, Open Sky Query…

Supervisor: Dr Gordon MacLeod (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: Dr Khadija EL Bouchefry (HartRAO)

Project File: AVN_Project_MASERS.pdf

 

 

Project Title: Star-Formation and Maser Theory

Brief Project Description: 

MSc Project: The HartRAO legacy programme on massive star formation will provide information on multi-epoch data and detection rates of various maser species and transitions (hydroxyl, methanol and water). The validity of maser theory will be investigated with this data as it relates to conditions of star formation. 

PhD Project: This project can be extended to include high resolution VLBI observations using HartRAO with the AVN, EVN, and/or LBA observations all many masering transitions associated with  massive star forming regions. In depth analysis of present maser theory will be completed and revised models developed that better fit observations.

Supervisor: Dr Gordon MacLeod (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: 

Project File: 

 

 

Project Title: A New Spectrometer for the AVN

Brief Project Description: 

MSc Project: Install and test ROACH-1 spectrometer for HartRAO. Develop optimisation tests for the ROACH-1 spectrometer. Develop software to pre-process observed data. This SKA-SA system will be placed on each AVN antenna. This project will increase the pool of expertise required for AVN antenna development.

PhD Project: Design and develop the next-generation ROACH-based spectrometer that will be capable of simultaneous transition line observations. Greater success will be achieved employing a stepwise development process from simple 1-line full stokes capability (standard today) to n-line/any receiver and beyond.

Supervisor: Dr Gordon MacLeod (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: Dr Charles Copley (SKA)

Project File: 

 

 

Project Title: The Radio Spectral Index of the Supernova Remnant G315.4-2.3

Brief Project Description: 

The supernova remnant G315.4-2.3 (also known as RCW86) is a composite supernova remnant with a partial X-ray shell. The shell has also been detected in gamma-rays. It is probably the remnant of a historical supernova in 185 AD, although the identication and the age of the remnant is uncertain. The supernova explosion threw off a shell of material, which creates shocks as it ploughs outwards through the circumsteller or interstellar medium. This expanding shell is visible in the radio, the infra-red, X-ray and gamma-ray. The spectrum of the radio synchrotron emission is directly related to the energy spectrum of the relativistic particles, and hence the acceleration mechanism. Thus studying a combination of X-ray and radio images allows one to study two ends of the very broad distribution of relativistic particles generated in the shocks.  Single-dish radio observations with Hartebeesthoek, or possibly with African VLBI Network (AVN) telescopes if available, should allow making a good spectral index image of G315.4-2.3.  The combination of single-dish measurements, archival ATCA data at 1.3 GHz and Parkes data at 2.4 GHz, should produce a good, high-resolution radio spectral index of this remnant. Masters Project.

Supervisor: Dr Michael Bietenholz (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: tbd

Project File: MBietenholz_projd.pdf

 

 

Project Title: Getting the Basics Right: Finding the Flux Density from Interferometric Images

Brief Project Description: 

One might think that the process of determining a basic characteristic of a radio source such as its flux density from a radio-astronomical image is well established. However, that is not quite the case, and this project aims to answer the question: how do we most accurately determine the flux density of an unresolved source from images made from interferometric data.This project is suitable as an advanced Honours project, or with some expansion as an Master’s project. There is certainly scope for a PhD. within the large, and as yet not well explored field of image accuracy and deconvolution errors. Understanding deconvolution errors and image accuracy will be crucial to achieving usable high dynamic range in images of future interferometers such as MeerKAT and SKA.

Supervisor: Dr Michael Bietenholz (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: tbd

Project File: MBietenholz_proje.pdf

 

 

Project Title: VLBI Imaging of the Extraordinary Supernova Remnant in NGC 4449

Brief Project Description: 

In the nearby Magellanic irregular galaxy, NGC 4449, there is a remarkable object,SNR 4449-1 (also known as 1AXG J122810+4406), discovered in the radio. Its non-thermal radio spectrum and observations of both broad and narrow optical lines identied it as a young supernova remnant (SNR) of unusual luminosity. This project would consist of re-reducing and calibrating the VLBI data, now publicly available from the EVN archive, and then combining it with the (already calibrated) VLBA data, and the making an image of SNR 4449-1.

Supervisor: Dr Michael Bietenholz (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: tbd

Project File: projf.pdf

 

 

Project Title: Single Dish Flux Calibration

Brief Project Description: 

The project would entail developing a calibration scheme for the 15m antenna and establishing the relative uxes of the various sources used at HartRAO. Thereafter these ux values would be used to investigate various issues in the calibration scheme of the more sensitive 26m antenna with an eye to assessing the likely performance of the new 22GHz receiver on that telescope and in support of ongoing multi-wavelength flux monitoring efforts.The project would involve learning how to schedule, analyse and interpret single dish measurements, which in turn are used as part of the calibration of both connected-element and very long baseline interferometers such as MeerKAT and the SKA.

Supervisor: Dr Jonathan Quick (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: tbd

Project File: Single_Dish_Flux_Calibration.pdf

 

 

Project Title: Single Dish Monitoring of the Radio Emission from Quasar J0450-8101

Brief Project Description: 

This project would consist of devising an observing strategy for a low-declination source, and carrying out observations of J0450-8101 using the HartRAO 26-m telescope, to obtain a sequence of flux-density measurements for J0450-8101. The observing strategy would also be useful for flux-density observations of any other far-south sources. The project will also involve the reduction and calibration of the multi-frequency data obtained with the HartRAO 26-m telescope. To deal eciently with the volume of data, the data reduction needs to be fully automated. Once sequences of flux-density measurements are available from single-dish observations, preferably at several frequencies, they can be compared to the changes in the structure as determined from existing or newly proposed VLBI observations that will help in understanding the shock formation and the structural changes in the shock component.

Supervisor: Dr Aletha de Witt (HartRAO)

Co-supervisor/s: Dr Michael Bietenholz (HartRAO)

Project File: Quasar_Single_Dish_Monitoring.pdf