Array Networking between “Quasar” and QVN

M. Zhang

Transactions of IAA RAS, issue 53, 74–79 (2020)

DOI: 10.32876/ApplAstron.53.74-79

Keywords: techniques, interferometric, telescopes, astrometry, gravitational waves

Abstract

The “Quasar” very long baseline interferometry network in Russia is now at its fully operational stage. With its baselines spanning four thousands kilometers over Asia and Europe, it can bring a great synergy to the existing compact interferometry networks to achieve very high resolutions. So we propose a close coordination between the Russian and the Chinese interferometric arrays to fully utilize the power of the two networks. We looked into the current status of radio telescope arrays in the world and found that the interferometry nodes of kilometer baselines in the short-centimeter wavelength range are still scarce in the center of Eurasia. The Chinese very long baseline interferometry network (CVN) is planning to add more nodes in western China, which is in line with the trend of Russia's “Quasar” network expansion to the east. The two networks are gradually sharing more commonlyvisible sky for longer-track of joint observations. We also initiated collaboration between relevant institutes in Russia and China to ensure compatible digital back-ends and correlators in both networks capable to process our joint observations. Specialized single-dish observation facilities can also be shared through our networks. We should utilize the strengths of both networks to form a joint force for promoting astronomical researches with radio interferometry. The network, which will join “Quasar” and CVN is potentially equivalent to the existing centimeterwavelength very long baseline interferometry networks in Europe and America.

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