Astronomical Research and Technical Support of Millimeter-Wavelength VLBI

AST-0096454。东北无线电观测公司。PI：A. A. E.罗杰斯天文研究和毫米波VLBI技术支持该奖项支持东北射电天文台的“协调毫米VLBI阵列”（CMVA）的运作。 CMVA提供统一的调度，支持和分析基础设施的特设网络的观测站进行甚长基线干涉测量（VLBI）在毫米波长。 CMVA网络由一组核心的毫米波观测台组成，这些观测台同意每年为VLBI提供大约两个星期的时间;其他设施根据建议提供时间。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。毫米波长VLBI达到了天文学中最高的角分辨率--在3 mm处通常为50毫角秒。 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）的大质量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VLBI由于星际等离子体散射和光学深度效应而带来的固有限制。 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25个以上机构的60名调查人员利用CMVA进行了银河中心的观测，活动星系核的调查，以及恒星形成区和演化恒星包络中甲醇和一氧化硅脉泽的研究。 该提案要求提供资金，以使CMVA在最后三年期间继续运作。 到那时，提议者预计3毫米VLBI的工作将完全交给NRAO的VLBA --它将完成升级到3毫米的能力--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. ***