The VLA Sky Survey

Abstract

The VLA All-Sky Survey (VLASS) builds upon the newly upgraded Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to employ its enhanced bandwidth, time resolution, and survey speed to carry out a next-generation sky survey. VLASS will map the sky at δ > −40°, covering a total of 33,885 square degrees, with 2.005 angular resolution using the VLA B-array at 2–4 GHz, with an expected rms of 69 µJy/beam in the final images. The survey will be carried out over three epochs spanning 32 months, providing a synoptic view of the dynamic radio sky similar to those now available through the new generation of synoptic imagers at other wavelengths. Consequently, VLASS will provide unique measurements of the radio sky at key epochs and sensitivity levels between that from FIRST and NVSS and the new upcoming radio surveys. This will be a critical enabler for early identification and filtering for the most interesting transient events. In this proceeding we highlight some of the key science that will be delivered by VLASS that make optimal utilization of the Jansky VLA's unique capabilities: high resolution imaging and exquisite point-source sensitivity, critical for source identification; wide bandwidth coverage, enabling instantaneous spectral index determination; and full polarimetry with good performance even in lines of sight with high Faraday depth, enabling instantaneous rotation measure and Faraday structure determinations.

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