What is the Sensitivity of the VLA?

-- | January 22, 2018

Question: What is the sensitivity of the VLA in WATTS? — Ben

Answer: The sensitivity of the VLA is dependent upon what frequency you observe at, how many antennas you use in your measurements, how wide your receiver detection bandwidth is, how efficient your antennas are at receiving a signal at a given frequency, and how long you observe. To give an example, if you observe at 1420 MHz using a receiver detection bandwidth of 600 MHz for one minute, you will have a sensitivity of about 60 micro Janskys. Since one Jansky is equal to 10^(-26) Watts per square meter per Hertz (W m^(-2) Hz^(-1), your sensitivity in W m^(-2) Hz^(-1) would be about 6.0×10^(-31) W m^(-2) Hz^(-1). The VLA observer’s manual section on sensitivity provides the details behind this calculation.

Jeff Mangum

Facebook

Twitter

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.