Probing early Universe through redshifted 21-cm signal: Modeling and observational challenges

Cosmic dawn (CD) and the epoch of reionization (EoR) are the most important parts of cosmic history during which the first luminous structures emerged. These first objects heated and ionized the neutral atomic hydrogen in the intergalactic medium. The redshifted 21-cm radiation from the atomic hydrogen provides an excellent direct probe to study the evolution of neutral hydrogen (Hi) and thus reveal nature of the first luminous objects, their evolution and role in this last phase transition of the Universe and formation and evolution of the structures thereafter. Direct mapping of the Hi density during the CD-EoR is rather difficult with the current and forthcoming instruments due to stronger foreground and other observational contamination. The first detection of this redshifted Hi signal is expected to be done through statistical estimators. Given the upmost importance of the detection and analysis of the redshifted 21-cm signal, physics of CD-EoR is considered as one of the objective of the upcoming SKA-low telescope. This paper summarizes the collective effort of Indian astronomers to understand the origin of the redshifted 21-cm signal, sources of first ionizing photons, their propagation through the IGM, various cosmological effects on the expected 21-cm signal, various statistical measures of the signal like power spectrum, bispectrum, etc. A collective effort on detection of such signal by developing estimators of the statistical measures with rigorous assessment of their expected uncertainties, various challenges like that of the large foreground emission and calibration issues are also discussed. Various versions of the detection methods discussed here have also been used in practice with the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope with successful assessment of the foreground contamination and upper limits on the matter density in reionization and post-reionization era. The collective efforts compiled here has been a large part of the global effort to prepare proper observational technique, analysis procedure for the first light of the CD-EoR through the SKA-low.

Automated summary

Cosmic dawn and the epoch of reionization are crucial periods for studying the evolution of neutral hydrogen through the redshifted 21-cm radiation. This paper summarizes the collective efforts of Indian astronomers to understand the origin of the redshifted 21-cm signal, sources of ionizing photons, their propagation, cosmological effects, and statistical measures. The detection and analysis of the redshifted 21-cm signal are considered important objectives for the upcoming SKA-low telescope.