Thursday, May 01, 2025
All the Bits Fit to Print
Advances in wide-field VLBI techniques and calibration methods
Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) achieves ultra-high-resolution images by linking distant telescopes, but usually focuses on single targets. New advances in wide-field VLBI techniques promise to expand observations to multiple sources simultaneously, unlocking more scientific potential.
Why it matters: Wide-field VLBI allows simultaneous imaging of many sources, vastly increasing scientific output and discovery.
The big picture: Improvements include streamlined workflows, distributed processing, and enhanced calibration to standardize wide-field VLBI use.
Stunning stat: Typical VLBI fields-of-view are limited to a few arcseconds, restricting observations to one target at a time.
Quick takeaway: New developments aim to make wide-field VLBI a routine mode on all major VLBI arrays globally.