A Decade of Observing with the Long Wavelength Array

The first Long Wavelength Array station (LWA1) became operational in 2012 and began a new era in ground based radio astronomy below 100 MHz. Since that beginning we have been fortunate to make a number of discoveries in a broad range of fields including astrophysics, space physics, and atmospheric physics. We have also steadily increased the capabilities of the instrument, adding a new station in New Mexico at the Sevilleta National Wildlife refuge (LWA-SV). Based on the LWA design, another station was built at Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO-LWA), and a number of single LWA antennas and small arrays (LOFASM, DLITE) sprang up around the US and the world. I will use the intrinsic radio emission from meteors, which we discovered with the first LWA station, to show how increases in capability led to new discoveries. We have begun to understand the energy source and emission mechanism that produces strong meteor radio afterglows (MRAs) in the D region of the ionosphere. I will also showcase results covering the broad range of science possible with the LWA from lightning within a few km to planets and stars to Cosmic Dawn near the edge of the observable Universe. I will close the talk by discussing our plans to further grow the capability of the instrument through the LWA Swarm.