Dr. Donald Backer (University of California, Berkeley), Dr. James Cordes (Cornell University) and Dr. Fernando Camilo (Columbia University) will undertake a collaborative survey for pulsars and radio transits, using the Arecibo L-band Feed Array (ALFA) at the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC) Arecibo Radio Astronomy Observatory. Arecibo1. The survey is expected to reveal a large number (~1500) pulsars and objects that will serve as "laboratories" for a variety of research areas in physics and astrophysics, including studies of the equation of state of nuclear matter, gravity in compact, high-mass binaries, and gravitational-wave backgrounds. Additional serendipitous discoveries are also anticipated.
The survey will have broad impact, by revealing sources that will be useful for studies in a variety of areas. Additionally, data management techniques will serve as prototypes for future data-intensive surveys in astronomy. The project will also contribute to the training of graduate students, and outreach to high school and undergraduate students.
1. NAIC is operated by Cornell University under a Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation.
