Vast quantities of data are transferred in real time from telescopes around the world to a supercomputer in the Netherlands, where European researchers combine the information to create high-resolution images of distant objects in space.
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By pointing up to 16 from six continents at one source in space and combining the observation signals from the telescopes via a high-speed network, European astronomers have created a ‘virtual telescope’ that delivers better resolution than any single telescope on earth.
The high-speed network also makes it easier for astronomers to react to so-called Targets of Opportunity - transient events such as supernova explosions and gamma-ray bursts in space.
“In November last year, astronomers noticed flaring activity from SS433 and alerted other observatories,” says Kristine Yun, public outreach officer for ExPReS (Express Production Real-time e-VLBI Service), the project behind this intercontinental astronomical instrument.
SS433 is one of the most spectacular and intensely studied locations in the Milky Way. It comprises two objects orbiting each other. Huge quantities of hydrogen are transferred from one star to its orbiting partner - a black hole or neutron star inside a dense, gas cloud. The flow of gas is so overwhelming that part of it is re-ejected by the neutron star in a pair of high-speed jets.
Within days, telescopes of the European VLBI Network (EVN) were turned towards SS433. Its activity was monitored in real time during three sessions and the data were made available within hours of the observations.
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- System Design & Simulation Software Free 30 Day Trial
- High bandwidth at up to 4km License free and rapidly deployable - w
By pointing up to 16 from six continents at one source in space and combining the observation signals from the telescopes via a high-speed network, European astronomers have created a ‘virtual telescope’ that delivers better resolution than any single telescope on earth.
The high-speed network also makes it easier for astronomers to react to so-called Targets of Opportunity - transient events such as supernova explosions and gamma-ray bursts in space.
“In November last year, astronomers noticed flaring activity from SS433 and alerted other observatories,” says Kristine Yun, public outreach officer for ExPReS (Express Production Real-time e-VLBI Service), the project behind this intercontinental astronomical instrument.
SS433 is one of the most spectacular and intensely studied locations in the Milky Way. It comprises two objects orbiting each other. Huge quantities of hydrogen are transferred from one star to its orbiting partner - a black hole or neutron star inside a dense, gas cloud. The flow of gas is so overwhelming that part of it is re-ejected by the neutron star in a pair of high-speed jets.
Within days, telescopes of the European VLBI Network (EVN) were turned towards SS433. Its activity was monitored in real time during three sessions and the data were made available within hours of the observations.
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