DACOTA: The dense array for cosmological transitions

Abstract

The Epoch of Reionization (EoR) heralded the advent of the Universe we recognize today, containing stars, galaxies and super-massive black holes. A number of experiments to detect the red-shifted hydrogen signature of the atomic component of the intergalactic medium (IGM) are on-going (e.g. PAPER, MWA, LOFAR). Due to the faintness of the signal, the bright foregrounds, and the challenge of instrumental systematics, multiple techniques are essential to create a more robust detection and to provide the complete picture on the evolution of early galaxies.