ASTROPHYSICAL STUDIES WITH SMALL LOW-FREQUENCY RADIO TELESCOPES OF NEW GENERATION

Purpose: define and theoretically substantiate the range of astrophysical problems that may be efficiently solved using small antenna arrays. Design/methodology/approach: Observation parameters and configurations of a set of small antenna arrays included in the future Giant Ukrainian radio telescope, have been derived based on the theoretical analysis and scientific results obtained by UTR-2 and URAN radio telescopes. Results: We have proved that a wide scope of problems can be efficiently solved by small low-frequency antenna arrays, ranging from Solar studies to the search for cosmological effects associated with neutral hydrogen spectral line in the early Universe at high red shifts. For each study program, we have calculated the desired observation parameters (integration time, time and frequency resolutions), indicated the required antenna configurations and operating modes (interferometric or additive). Conclusions: We have shown that at the construction stage of the Giant Ukrainian radio telescope and gradual commissioning of its new sections, we can solve a number of important astrophysical problems. As the new sections are being added, the observation techniques and data processing methods will constantly be improving.