Overview and initial results of the very long baseline interferometry space observatory programme

Area of Science:

• Astronomy
• Astrophysics
• Radio Astronomy

Background:

• Extragalactic radio sources, such as quasars, exhibit complex structures at milli-arc-second scales.
• Understanding these structures is crucial for studying phenomena like relativistic jets and active galactic nuclei.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present and discuss Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Space Observatory Programme (VSOP) images of specific extragalactic radio sources.
• To determine the core size and brightness temperature of quasars.
• To study the motion of jet components near the quasar core.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing the Highly Advanced Laboratory for Communications and Astronomy (HALCA) satellite in conjunction with ground-based radio telescopes.
• Conducting Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations at 1.6 and 5 gigahertz.
• Analyzing high angular resolution images of selected radio quasars.

Main Results:

• VSOP images of the gamma-ray source 1156+295, quasar 1548+056, ultraluminous quasar 0014+813, and superluminal quasar 0212+735 were obtained.
• The milli-arc-second-scale structure of these radio quasars was resolved.
• Data allowed for the determination of quasar core sizes and brightness temperatures.

Conclusions:

• The VSOP program provides crucial data for understanding the detailed structure of extragalactic radio sources.
• High angular resolution imaging enables the study of jet dynamics and properties of active galactic nuclei.
• The presented quasar images contribute to our knowledge of relativistic jets and their evolution.