ROSCOSMOS logo.
03/05/2013
Spektr-R / RadioAstron spacecraft
In the early part of the scientific program of the mission, RadioAstron studied three groups of space objects: quasars - nuclei of distant galaxies, pulsars - neutron stars in our galaxy, masers - region of star formation in our galaxy. In early 2013, obtained important new results.
RadioAstron and records
With the help of the RadioAstron managed to break all the world records on the angular resolution by implementing the most keen eye for history. Interference signals from distant galaxies, ultra-confident registered on the basis of Earth-Space to 20 diameters of the Earth! Specifically, it was possible to beat the record set in 2012, ground-based interferometers for observations at 1.3 mm wavelength. Achieved an angular resolution of 40 microseconds of arc.
Fig. 1: Record the detection of ultra compact active galactic nuclei in the project RadioAstron.
At the traditional diagram represents the value of the response as a function of delay (delay) and frequency interference (fringe rate).
Left - the quasar 3C273, the range of 18 cm, base diameter 13.5 interferometer Earth RadioAstron-Aresibo/SShA, January 20, 2013
In the center - the active galaxy BL Lacertae, a range of 6 cm, the base of the interferometer 19 diameters of the Earth, RadioAstron-Effelsberg / Germany, November 28, 2012
Right - the quasar 3C273, the range of 1.3 cm, the base of the interferometer 8 diameters of the Earth, RadioAstron-GBT/SShA, February 2, 2013.
RadioAstron and the interstellar medium
The modern theory of the interstellar plasma in our galaxy predicted that the long-wavelength radio emission from pulsars and quasars will be eroded and, as a result, RadioAstron can not register them signals on large ground-based and space bases for wavelengths of 18 and 92 cm results fully refuted this prediction (see Figures 1 and 2), broke up with the theory in 10100 times!
This discovery completely changes the current understanding of the structure of the interstellar plasma in our galaxy.
Fig. 2: Structure of the interference response distant pulsar V0329 +55, at a distance of 6000 light years.
For a source that is not subjected to the effects of scattering on the chart view to be a single peak. In fact, there is a tight band interference responses, each of which corresponds to the peaks of the interference of the rays passing through its combination of refraction in the plasma inhomogeneities.
RadioAstron and galactic water
Detected water maser emission from ultra cloud size 8 diameters of the Sun, in the formation of massive stars W3IRS5, located at a distance 5.5 thousand light years in the Perseus spiral arm of our galaxy (see Figures 3 and 4).
This result will allow scientists to better understand the formation of massive stars.
Fig. 3: Interference response from the star forming region W3IRS5 Observations RadioAstron with Spanish telescope Yebes.
On the vertical axis: amplitude of the correlated signal. Horizontal axis: the residual value of frequency interference and spectral frequency.
Fig. 4: The interference response of the star forming region W3IRS5 Observations RadioAstron with Polish telescope Torun.
Original text in Russian: http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=19935
Images, Graphics, Text, Credits: Press Service of the Russian Space Agency and ACC Physics Institute. Lebedev, Russian Academy of Sciences (ASC FIAN) / Translation: Orbiter.ch Aerospace.
Greetings, Orbiter.ch
