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Phase referencing VLBI astrometry observation system: VERA

Authors :
Katsunori M. Shibata
Takaaki Jike
Yoichi Tamura
Hideyuki Kobayashi
Tomoya Hirota
Mareki Honma
Hiroshi Imai
Osamu Kameya
Seiji Manabe
Toshihiro Omodaka
N. Kawaguchi
Source :
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. 3:148-155
Publication Year :
2007
Publisher :
Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2007.

Abstract

VERA aims at astrometric observations using phase referencing VLBI techniques, whose goal is a 10 micro arc-second accuracy for annual parallax measurements. VERA has four 20-m diameter VLBI radio telescopes in Japanese archipelago with the maximum baseline length of 2,300 km. They have the two-beam observing system, which makes simultaneous observations of two objects possible. This leads to very accurate phase referencing VLBI observations. An important science goal is to make a 3-dimensional map of the Galaxy and reveal its dynamics. In order to achieve this, VERA has the 22GHz and 43GHz bands for H2O and SiO maser objects, respectively. Maser objects are compact and suitable for astrometry observations. VERA's construction was started in 2000 and the array became operational in 2004. We have already measured annual parallaxes and proper motions of some galactic objects. In the future, VERA will collaborate with Korean and Chinese VLBI stations.

Details

ISSN :
17439221 and 17439213
Volume :
3
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........5ab6266468fb0cda92eb9b2709c5880a
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1017/s1743921308018930