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Future mmVLBI Research with ALMA: A European vision

Jun 18, 2014
36 pages
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Abstract: (arXiv)
Very long baseline interferometry at millimetre/submillimetre wavelengths (mmVLBI) offers the highest achievable spatial resolution at any wavelength in astronomy. The anticipated inclusion of ALMA as a phased array into a global VLBI network will bring unprecedented sensitivity and a transformational leap in capabilities for mmVLBI. Building on years of pioneering efforts in the US and Europe the ongoing ALMA Phasing Project (APP), a US-led international collaboration with MPIfR-led European contributions, is expected to deliver a beamformer and VLBI capability to ALMA by the end of 2014 (APP: Fish et al. 2013, arXiv:1309.3519). This report focuses on the future use of mmVLBI by the international users community from a European viewpoint. Firstly, it highlights the intense science interest in Europe in future mmVLBI observations as compiled from the responses to a general call to the European community for future research projects. A wide range of research is presented that includes, amongst others: - Imaging the event horizon of the black hole at the centre of the Galaxy - Testing the theory of General Relativity an/or searching for alternative theories - Studying the origin of AGN jets and jet formation - Cosmological evolution of galaxies and BHs, AGN feedback - Masers in the Milky Way (in stars and star-forming regions) - Extragalactic emission lines and astro-chemistry - Redshifted absorption lines in distant galaxies and study of the ISM and circumnuclear gas - Pulsars, neutron stars, X-ray binaries - Testing cosmology - Testing fundamental physical constants
  • [1]
    As a fully beam-formed reception station, equivalent to ~84 m dish, for NEO and other single targets. or
    • [2]
      As a multiple beam receiver station (beam-park) for volume investigations. This scenario would require a transmission frequency near Ka-band (likely 34 GHz, near the uplink frequency for Deep Space) and ALMA receiving in, likely, band-1 (31-45 GHz). Such configuration could have similar or more powerful capabilities than the 70m/VLA scenario operating at 8.4 GHz (Goldstone-VLA). The project is not a current ESA activity, but a study of its technological feasibility may be (re)submitted for the General Study call for ideas at ESA. With the failure of the high-gain antenna on-board the Galileo mission to Jupiter, NASA requested assistance from VLA and was important in enabling X-band receivers at the VLA. Such situation could also arise at these higher Ka-band frequencies