Close-up of active galactic nucleus: First interferometric signals between Effelsberg telescope and orbital radio telescope Spektr-R
Friday, July 6, 2012 - 16:00
in Astronomy & Space
Researchers in Germany and Russia have obtained the first detection of interferometric signals between the Effelsberg 100-m telescope and the space-bound radio telescope satellite Spektr-R. The distance between the two radio telescopes is up to 350,000 kilometres -- which corresponds to a virtual telescope of this aperture and an angular resolution of about 40 micro arc seconds. Both telescopes were targeted at BL Lacertae, an Active Galactic Nucleus at a distance of approximately 900 million light years.