The Allen Telescope Array: The First Widefield, Panchromatic, Snapshot Radio Camera

Abstract

The first 42 elements of the Allen Telescope Array (ATA-42) are beginning to deliver data at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory in Northern California. Scientists and engineers are actively exploiting all of the flexibility designed into this innovative instrument for simultaneously conducting panoramic surveys of the astrophysical sky. The fundamental scientific program of this new telescope is varied and exciting; we here discuss some of the first astronomical results.