| dc.description.abstract | The Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) is a synoptic, all-sky radio sky survey with a unique combination of
high angular resolution (≈2 5), sensitivity (a 1σ goal of 70 μJy/beam in the coadded data), full linear Stokes
polarimetry, time domain coverage, and wide bandwidth (2–4 GHz). The first observations began in 2017
September, and observing for the survey will finish in 2024. VLASS will use approximately 5500 hr of time on the
Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to cover the whole sky visible to the VLA (decl. > −40°), a total of
33 885 deg2. The data will be taken in three epochs to allow the discovery of variable and transient radio sources.
The survey is designed to engage radio astronomy experts, multi-wavelength astronomers, and citizen scientists
alike. By utilizing an “on the fly” interferometry mode, the observing overheads are much reduced compared to a
conventional pointed survey. In this paper, we present the science case and observational strategy for the survey,
and also results from early survey observations. | en_US |
