The Hydrogen Intensity Real-Time Analysis eXperiment: Overview and Status Update

The Hydrogen Intensity Real-time Analysis eXperiment (HIRAX) will be a large interferometric array of drift-scan radio telescopes designed to map the large-scale spatial fluctuations of neutral hydrogen in the Universe, in order to better understand the nature of dark energy. It will operate between 400–800 MHz, and is currently under construction in the Karoo desert of South Africa. It will also be a powerful tool for studying astronomical transients and the evolution of galaxies. Here we present an overview of the project, its anticipated deployment timelines, and highlight some of the characterisation and calibration efforts that are currently underway, or planned for the future.