A Next Generation Low Band Observatory: A Community Study Exploring Low Frequency Options for ngVLA

Understand

We present a community study exploring the low frequency (5 - 800 MHz) options and opportunities for the ngVLA project and its infrastructure.

• We describe a Next Generation LOw Band Observatory (ngLOBO) that will provide access to the low frequency sky in a commensal fashion, operating independently from the ngVLA, but leveraging common infrastructure.
• This approach provides continuous coverage through an aperture array (called ngLOBO-Low) below 150 MHz and by accessing the primary focus of the ngVLA antennas (called ngLOBO-High) above 150 MHz.
• ngLOBO preconditions include a) non-interference and b) low relative cost (<5%) with respect to ngVLA.