VLBI, the sharpest view of the Universe

by Ricard Schilizzi (Joint Insitute for VLBI in Europe, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands)

Wednesday 7 Feb 2001, 16:30 → 17:30 Europe/Zurich

500/1-001 - Main Auditorium (CERN)

Very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) at radio wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum provides astronomers with angular resolutions as fine as 50 micro-seconds of arc. This is the highest resolution in all of astronomy and is used to focus on small scale physical processes occurring in distant cosmic sources of radiation - in ordinary stars like our Sun, star-forming regions, supernova remnants, and the most distant galaxies and quasars in our Universe. This high angular resolution is achieved by coupling individual radio telescopes together to create in effect a single instrument thousands of kilometers across. I will describe the VLBI technique, current scientific highlights in astronomy and applications in geodesy, and plans for future developments.

Organiser(s): Jasper Kirkby / EP Division

Note: Tea & coffee will be served at 16.00 hrs.