Astronomical Research and Technical Support of Millimeter-Wavelength VLBI

ast - 0096454。东北无线电观测公司。该项目支持东北射电天文台“协调mm-VLBI阵列”（CMVA）的运行。CMVA为执行毫米波超长基线干涉测量（VLBI）的观测站网络提供统一的调度、支持和分析基础设施。CMVA网络由一组毫米波观测站组成，这些观测站已同意每年为VLBI提供大约两周的时间；额外的设施在每个提案的基础上提供时间。CMVA是独一无二的，它的目的是让所有天文学家都能使用毫米波VLBI，而不仅仅是那些技术专家。毫米波VLBI达到了天文学中最高的角度分辨率——通常为50毫弧秒。只有这样的分辨率才能开始揭示与活动星系核（如类星体和BL Lacertids）的巨大中心引擎相关的紧凑天体物理结构，并且只有在毫米波长下才能最大限度地减少连续体VLBI由于星际等离子体散射和光学深度效应的固有局限性。毫米波段也有丰富的分子脉泽，其结构只能通过VLBI来分辨。在过去的奖励期间，来自超过25个机构的60名研究人员使用了CMVA，对银河系中心进行了观测，对活动星系核进行了调查，并研究了恒星形成区域和演化恒星外壳中的甲醇和一氧化碳微波激射器。该提案要求资金在最后3年期间继续CMVA的业务。届时，提议者预计3mm VLBI的工作将完全移交给NRAO的VLBA，后者将完成向3mm能力的升级，而CMVA的临时活动将被放弃。＊＊＊

AST-0096454. Northeast Radio Observatory Corporation. PI: A. A. E. Rogers Astronomical Research and Technical Support of Millimeter Wavelength VLBIThis award supports the operation of the Northeast Radio Observatory's "Coordinated mm-VLBI Array" (CMVA). The CMVA provides unified scheduling, support, and analysis infrastructure for an ad hoc network of observatories which carry out very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) at millimeter wavelengths. The CMVA network consists of a core group of mm-wave observatories which have agreed to make approximately two weeks per year available for VLBI; additional facilities make time available on a per-proposal basis. The CMVA is unique, and its intent is to make mm-wave VLBI available to all astronomers, not just those who are experts in the technique. Millimeter-wavelength VLBI achieves the highest angular resolution in astronomy-typically 50 milliarcseconds at 3mm. Only such resolutions can begin to reveal the compact astrophysical structures associated with the massive central engines of active galactic nuclei such as quasars and BL Lacertids, and only at millimeter wavelengths does one minimize the inherent limitations of continuum VLBI due to scattering by the interstellar plasma and optical depth effects. The millimeter band is also rich in molecular masers whose structure can only be resolved by VLBI. During the past award period 60 investigators from more than 25 institutions made use of the CMVA, producing observations of the Galactic Center, a survey of active galactic nuclei, and studies of methanol and silicon monoxide masers in both star-forming regions and the envelopes of evolved stars. This proposal requests funds to continue operation of the CMVA for a final 3-year period. At that time, the proposers expect that 3mm VLBI efforts will fully pass to the NRAO's VLBA - which will have completed upgrading to 3mm capability - and the CMVA's ad hoc activities will be abandoned. ***