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| Chinese VLBI Network | |
|---|---|
| Name | Chinese VLBI Network |
| Established | 2005 |
| Location | People's Republic of China |
| Type | Radio interferometry array |
| Operators | Chinese Academy of Sciences; National Astronomical Observatories |
Chinese VLBI Network The Chinese VLBI Network is a radio interferometry array operated by institutions in the People's Republic of China that performs very long baseline interferometry for astrometry, geodesy, and astrophysics. It links multiple observatories and collaborates with international facilities to produce high-resolution imaging and precise Earth orientation measurements. The network supports programs in pulsar timing, active galactic nucleus imaging, spacecraft tracking, and maser astrometry.
The network comprises radio observatories coordinated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, the Urumqi Observatory, the Kunming Observatory, the Miyun Station, and other regional institutes. It uses techniques developed in projects such as the European VLBI Network, the Very Long Baseline Array, the East Asian VLBI Network, and collaborates with facilities like the Jodrell Bank Observatory, the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Operational goals overlap with missions and programs including the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, the Chang'e program, and the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. The network supports studies related to targets such as Sgr A*, M87*, 3C 273, Cygnus A, and galactic masers like W3(OH).
Early roots trace to radio astronomy work at the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory and the establishment of long-baseline experiments influenced by pioneers at institutes such as the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The formal coordination grew in the 2000s alongside developments at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and investments linked to national science planning such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Milestones include integration with international networks during campaigns tied to the Very Long Baseline Array and participation in global campaigns observed by the European VLBI Network and the Long Baseline Array. Key people and groups from the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory led upgrades inspired by techniques from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and collaborations with the Metsähovi Radio Observatory.
Stations are distributed to provide long baselines across the People's Republic of China and to connect with regional sites in East Asia and beyond. Major sites include the Kunming Observatory (Yunnan), the Urumqi Observatory (Xinjiang), the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory facilities, the Miyun Station near Beijing, and auxiliary antennas that have been used in joint campaigns with the Kashima Space Research Center and the Metsähovi Radio Observatory. Antennas vary in diameter and include parabolic dishes equipped for centimeter and millimeter bands; station operations interface with organizations like the China Satellite Navigation Office for tracking and with international partners such as the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan for joint baselines.
The network employs cryogenically cooled receivers, hydrogen maser frequency standards, and digital backends compatible with standards from the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry and protocols from agencies like the International Astronomical Union. Recording systems include disk-based recorders derived from designs used by the European VLBI Network and the Very Long Baseline Array, and correlator inputs follow data formats interoperable with the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC. Technology transfers and cooperation have involved institutions such as the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, the Metsähovi Radio Observatory, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Primary science programs include astrometric measurements of radio stars and masers (e.g., SiO masers in evolved stars), monitoring of active galactic nuclei such as BL Lacertae objects and quasars like 3C 273, pulsar timing related to objects discovered by surveys like FAST and the Parkes Observatory, and participation in very long baseline campaigns targeting Sgr A* and M87*. The network has contributed to spacecraft tracking for missions in the Chang'e program and supported geodetic products used alongside services from the International GNSS Service and International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry.
The Chinese network maintains partnerships with the East Asian VLBI Network, the European VLBI Network, the Very Long Baseline Array, the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, the Metsähovi Radio Observatory, the Kashima Space Research Center, and observatories in Australia and New Zealand such as the Australia Telescope National Facility and the Warkworth Radio Astronomical Observatory. Scientific exchanges involve institutions like the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and university groups at Peking University and Tsinghua University. Joint proposals and campaigns connect to projects overseen by the International Astronomical Union and the Committee on Space Research.
Correlation has been performed using hardware correlators at national centers and software correlators compatible with frameworks such as DiFX used by the Very Long Baseline Array and the European VLBI Network. Data archiving aligns with standards promoted by the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry and interoperates with archives at institutions like the National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory. Processing pipelines incorporate tools and libraries developed in collaboration with groups from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, the Joint Institute for VLBI ERIC, and university research groups at Peking University.
Planned enhancements focus on higher frequency capability to approach millimeter wavelengths akin to the Event Horizon Telescope campaigns that observed M87* and Sgr A*, expanded baselines through cooperation with the East Asian VLBI Network and Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder-related facilities, and incorporation of larger dishes and phased-array feeds similar to developments at the Green Bank Telescope and the Effelsberg 100-m Radio Telescope. Strategic directions include tighter integration with space-VLBI concepts used by missions influenced by the RadioAstron project and collaborations with upcoming instruments such as FAST and components of the Square Kilometre Array precursor projects.
Category:Radio telescopes in China Category:Very Long Baseline Interferometry