Low Frequency Maps of the Galaxy

This paper is a preliminary report on the sky mapping being undertaken at the University of Tasmania using the Llanherne low frequency array. (Ellis 1972). The observations are facilitated by the use of an on-line PDP-8 computer and the beam steering system described by Whitham (1975). In summary, a scanning system is used in which the computer is programmed to steer the telescope beam to a number of declinations with a time interval between settings such that a scan takes 5 minutes. Usually a scan of 12 declinations is chosen. Calibration levels obtained each hour and recorded on magnetic tape permit gain changes to be accounted for when the data is analysed from the tape.