Statistical EOR detection and the Mileura Widefield Array

Statistical epoch of reionization (EOR) observations are one of the emerging fields of experimental cosmology and could provide unique constraints on the formation of structure and the emergence of the first luminous objects. The primary challenge in observing the 21 cm EOR signature is subtracting the strong astrophysical and instrumental foregrounds. In this paper, we review the three-dimensional statistical EOR analysis, present a multi-stage foreground removal framework, and review the design and early field testing for the Mileura Widefield Array. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.