VLA观测和Observe软件

Observe是用于制订甚大阵（the Very Large Array,VLA)观测件的软件。随着中国科学院创新工程的全面推进，利用VLA进行观测研究的中国天学家逐渐增多，Lbserve软件的使用也日前广泛，简要介绍了Observe的主要功能和应用；并结合2000年12月的观测件（AH721）的制订过程，给出了注意事项，供今后的VLA观测参考。     

哈雷彗星羟基(OH)的射电图象

一九八五年十一月十三日和十六日在国际哈雷彗星射电联测时段内,由加州大学贝克利分校I.D.Pater、芝加哥大学P.Palmer、伊利诺斯州立大学L.E.Snyder组成的观测小组,用设在新墨西哥州的美国国家射电天文台(NRAO)甚大阵(VLA)观测哈雷彗星的羟基(OH)谱线发射,得到了羟基最低能态(2II_3/2,J_5/3)F=2→2跃迁谱线(频率为     

PIMA软件在APSG测地VLBI数据处理中的应用

上海VLBI相关处理中心引进了一款国外新近研发的VLBI相关后处理软件PIMA,它在相位校准、复带通校准和条纹搜索等方面具有独到的优势,特别适合于射电源的成图和绝对天体测量。以亚太空间地球动力学计划(Asian Pacific Space Geodynamics,APSG)测地VLBI观测为样本,介绍了PIMA软件及配套数据分析软件VTD/Post-Solve的特点和处理流程。对PIMA获得的观测量文件以及国际VLBI天体测量和大地测量服务(International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry,IVS)常规数据处理获得的观测量文件,分别进行了台站坐标和射电源位置参数解算。二者的解算结果在测量误差范围内一致,且在低信噪比情况下,PIMA获得了更多的观测量。后续的APSG观测将包括更多数量的微弱射电源。PIMA软件有望在此类数据处理中发挥重要作用。     

太阳活动区AR2490的射电研究

1980年6月10—12日,当太阳活动区AR2490出现强活动性以后,按照国际科联(ICSU)下属的天-地-空五大国际科学组织共同制定的第21周太阳活动峰年国际联合观测A项计划(The SMY-FBS Project),世界一些著名的大型仪器,在射电、光学、X射线到紫外线波段上都进行了观测。这些仪器是:美国甚大阵(VLA)、荷兰Wester-bork综合孔径(WSRT)、Sacramento峰真空太阳塔的光学观测以及太阳极大使命卫星(SMM)上的X射线多色仪(XRP)和紫外线分光偏振仪(UVSP)两个仪器。取得的观测结果已由Drago等人在Solar Physics第80卷(1982)上的“Multiple     

VLBI谱线测量中的钟校准

本文给出在VLBI谱线测量中钟校准的方法。利用美国三台站VLBI谱线观测资料,计算NRAO和HRAS氢脉泽钟相对于VLA的钟差和钟速差。经钟校准,钟差对羟基分子脉泽子源条纹率图相对位置精度的影响约为0″.002,从而大大提高了条纹率成图质量。     

基于Python-casacore的射电测量集文件生成方法

测量集(MeasurementSet, MS)是射电天文领域重要的文件格式,并逐渐成为射电天文数据存储、分析与共享的标准格式,得到越来越多的天文数据处理软件的支持,在阿塔卡玛大型毫米波天线阵(Atacama Large Millimeter Array, ALMA)、LOFAR等射电望远镜系统中已经深入应用。但长期以来,测量集格式在国内应用较少,介绍了测量集格式的基本概念、目录结构和字段设计,在此基础上讨论了利用Python-casacore调用底层Casacore生成测量集文件的方法,将实现程序集成到射电天文模拟校准成像库(Radio Astronomy Simulation, Calibration and Imaging Library, RASCIL),生成仿真观测测量集文件,并利用CASA(Common Astronomy Software Applications)软件加以验证。所完成的测量集文件生成软件在满足平方千米阵工程桥接阶段工作需要的同时,也为其后续的成像、观测模拟和文件存储提供了重要支撑,对我国射电天文数据处理工作有较高的参考价值。     

新一代S2FS终端控制软件

上海天文台佘山 2 5m观测站S2 -PT终端系统用于甚长基线干涉测量 (VLBI)实验。它在实验中按不同的模式将实验数据记录在录像带上。新一代S2FS控制软件使用一个观测纲要文件和一个过程控制文件在FS(FieldSystem)软件下控制S2终端系统     

用ＰＣ—ＳＣＨＥＤ制订ＶＬＢＩ观测计算

RC－SCHED是制订VLBI观测计划的交互式软件,欧洲VLBI网（European VLBI Network,EVN)特别指定其观测计划须用PC－SHCED制订,随着上海天台科研人员日益增多的VLBI观测研究计划被EVN接受,PC－SCHED在我台的使用也日益广泛,为些简要地介绍PC－SCHED的主要功能及应用,并结合制订1999年2月份的两个观测计划（EH004和EH005）的经验,列出注意事项,以供今后的PC－SCHED使用参考。     

基于CGGTTS的北斗3号系统时间性能评估

依据国际时间频率咨询委员会(Consultative Committee for Time and Frequency, CCTF) GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System)时间比对工作组制定的时间传递标准(Common GNSS Generic Time Transfer Standard Version2E, CGGTTS_V2E), 针对GNSS接收机观测到的伪距信号开发了数据处理软件, 用于生成标准格式的CGGTTS文件, 并对其可靠性进行了验证. 结果表明, 与sbf2cggtts软件生成的CGGTTS文件相比, 在同一历元下, 分别利用相同GPS和BeiDou-2卫星观测值计算的星地钟差值基本一致, 互差绝对值不超过0.5ns的差值分别占总数的96%、94%. 以中国标准时间UTC(NTSC) (Coordinated Universal Time (National Time Service Center))为参考, 利用数据处理软件分别对BeiDou-2和BeiDou-3卫星的B1I和B3I双频消电离层组合观测值处理并生成标准格式的CGGTTS文件, 通过分析其星地钟差参数对BeiDou系统时间的性能进行评估. 结果表明, 与BeiDou-2相比, BeiDou-3系统时间的内符合精度提高约28%, 且1 d以上中长期频率稳定度明显优于BeiDou-2.     

AIPS对综合孔径展源的图象处理

本文介绍了用美国国立射电天文台图象处理软件系统—AIPS对综合孔径VLA观测数据的处理方法,特别是对展源,要得到高质量的图象,在编辑及成图中要注意的事项。作者根据自己的实际工作,总结了用AIPS进行图象处理的经验。     

A window on the plasma universe: the very large array

For nearly two decades, the aperature synthesis telescope known as the Very Large Array (VLA) has been providing a wealth of data on all types of astronomical objects. This telescope fills the need for more powerful and more sensitive instruments to gather data on a vast range of plasma phenomena in astrophysical settings. Currently the VLA is capable of observing at eight radio frequency bands (four corresponding to important spectral lines) with sensitivities on the order of 10^–29 Wm ^–2 Hz ^–1, or 10^–3 Jansky (1 mJy), and noise levels ten times lower. This paper describes the VLA and its capabilities, and describes how researchers interested in plasma astrophysics can use the instrument.     

A Remark on Using Gravitational Lensing Probability as a Probe of the Central Regions of CDM Halos

We calculate the gravitational lensing probabilities by cold dark matter (CDM) halos with different density profiles, and compare them with current observations from the Cosmic Lens All-Sky Survey (CLASS) and the Jodrell-Bank VLA Astrometric Survey (JVAS). We find that the lensing probability is dramatically sensitive to the clumping of the dark matter, or quantitatively, the concentration parameter. We also find that our predicted lensing probabilities in most cases show inconsistency with the observations. It is argued that high lensing probability may not be an effective tool for probing the statistical properties of inner structures of dark matter halos.     

Bending of Jets in the QSO NRAO 530

We present radio images of NRAO 530 on scales ranging from pc to kpc. The observations include the EVN at 5 GHz, the VLBA at 1.6, 8.6 and 15 GHz, the MERLIN at 1.6 and 5 GHz, and the VLA at 5, 8.4, 15, 22, and 43 GHz. The VLBI images show a core-jet structure with an oscillating trajectory on a scale of about 30 mas north of the strongest compact component (core). Superluminal motions are detected in five of the jet compo-nents with apparent velocities in the range of 13.6 to 25.2c. A new component is detected at 15 GHz with the VLBA observations, which appears to be associated with the outburst in 2002. Significant polarized emission is detected around the core with the VLBA observationsat 15 GHz. Rapid variations of the polarization intensity and angle are found between the epochs in 2002 and 2004. On the kpc-scale, a distant component (labelled as WL) located 11 arcsec west (PA=-86°) of the core is detected beyond the core-jet structure which ex-tended to several hundreds of mas in the north-west direction (-50°). A significant emission between the core-jet structure and the WL is revealed. A clump of diffuse emission (labelled EL, 12 arcsec long) at PA 70° to the core, is also detected in the VLA observations, suggest-ing the presence of double lobes in the source. The core component shows a flat spectrum,while the distant components WL and EL have steep spectra. The steep spectra of the distantcomponents and the detection of the arched emission suggest that the distant components are lobes or hot-spots powered by the core of NRAO 530. The morphologies from pc-to kpc- scales and the bending of jets are investigated. The observed radio morphology from pc to kcp appears to favor the model in which precession or wobbling of the nuclear disk drives the helical motion of the radio plasma and produces the S-shaped structure on kpc scale.     

Tessellated mapping of cosmic background radiation correlations and source distributions

We offer a method of correlations mapping on the full celestial sphere that allows to check the quality of reconstructed maps, their non-Gaussianity and conduct experiments in various frequency ranges. The method was evaluated on the WMAP data, both on the reconstructed maps and foreground components, and on the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) data. We detected a significant shift in the correlation data of the dust component, which can be preconditioned by a more complex dust model than the one currently in use for component separation. While studying the NVSS correlation data, we demonstrated that the statistics of the coinciding spots in the microwave background and in the NVSS survey corresponds to the one expected in the ΛCDM model. This can testify for a chance coincidence of the spots in the NVSS and WMAP data in the CMB Cold Spot region. Our method is software-implemented in the GLESP package.     

EGRET检测到的γ射线活动星系核的射电图像

研究表明活动星系核的高能γ射线辐射和低频射电辐射有着某些内在的联系。ＥＧＲＥＴ已检测到６６ 颗可信度很高的活动星系核。而这些高能的活动星系核有部分缺少足够的射电图象观测。为研究这些河外剧变源的射电辐射性质及致密结构,并研究活动量系核射电喷流弯曲与高能辐射的内在联系。我们利用国际欧洲ＶＬＢＩ网,英国的ＭＥＲＬＩＮ 和美国的ＶＬＡ对近２０ 颗γ射线活动星系核进行了观测。本文给出部分高能γ射线活动星系核在８ ．５ＧＨｚ的ＶＬＡ 观测图象。     

The heating of the X-ray gas by the radiogas in the cluster PKS 0745-191

Calculations of the energy evolution of relativistic particles in a cluster of galaxies are presented. The heating of the X-ray gas by the radio gas in the cluster PKS 0745-191 is derived using Chandra X-ray data and VLA radio data. It is found that the heating is not sufficient for the radiation loss of the X-ray gas if the lower limit of energy in the power-law spectrum of relativistic electrons is set at 0.001 erg.     

Dual frequency observations of flares with the VLA

We describe observations of three flares made at 5 and 15 GHz with the VLA, two subflares near the limb on 1981 November 21 and 22, and an M7.7 flare on 1981 May 8. Even though the time histories of the November flares indicated simple impulsive bursts, the VLA observed no 5 GHz radiation at all from one flare, and from the other, the 15 GHz radiation emanated from a source which was smaller, lower and displaced from the 5 GHz source. Without the spatial information, we would have derived incorrect results from the assumption that photons of different energy (both at X-ray and radio wavelengths) arose from one homogeneous volume. The 1981 May 8 flare was intense and complex, having two. or more sources at both 5 and 15 GHz. Prior to the peak of the flare, the sources grew in size to > 20″ to 40″, after which they were not visible to the VLA; only (weak) subsources could be seen. These were located between or at the edge of the Hα ribbons and the two hard X-ray sources imaged by the Hinotori. Highly polarized, bursty radiation observed at Toyokawa at 1 and 2 GHz, indicated that an electron-cyclotron maser operated during the flare. We derive 360 to 660 gauss as the maximum field strength in flaring loops.     

The radio counterpart of the likely TeV binary HESS J0632+057

The few known γ-ray binary systems are all associated with variable radio and X-ray emission. The TeV source HESS J0632+057, apparently associated with the Be star MWC 148, is plausibly a new member of this class. Following the identification of a variable X-ray counterpart to the TeV source we conducted Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) and Very Large Array (VLA) observations in 2008 June–September to search for the radio counterpart of this object. A point-like radio source at the position of the star is detected in both 1280-MHz GMRT and 5-GHz VLA observations, with an average spectral index, α, of ∼0.6. In the VLA data there is significant flux variability on ∼month time-scales around the mean flux density of ≈0.3 mJy. These radio properties (and the overall spectral energy distribution) are consistent with an interpretation of HESS J0632+057 as a lower power analogue of the established γ-ray binary systems.     

VLBI and VLA observations of intraday polarization variability in 0917+624 and 0954+658

Total intensity and polarization λ =6 cm Very Large Array (VLA) and global very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) images of the quasar 0917+624 and the BL Lacertae object 0954+658 (both at epoch 1991.43) are analysed. Integrated measurements using the VLA during the VLBI observations indicated that, although there were no substantial total intensity variations, there were significant polarization variations for both sources during the 24-h VLBI experiment. The VLBI data were divided into 2–3 h segments in order to try to identify corresponding rapid variability in the VLBI structure. This analysis revealed intraday variability (IDV) in the VLBI core of 0917+624: both the polarized flux and the polarization position angle varied substantially on time-scales of ∼5–10 h. There is evidence that the VLA polarization variations for 0954+658 occurred in an inner VLBI jet component, where the polarized flux varied by ∼30–40 per cent on time-scales of ∼2 h. 0917+624 and 0954+658 were observed together with 0716+714, an object that also displayed IDV in the polarized flux density measured during our experiment (analysed in a separate paper). These three sources were targeted for the VLBI observations since they had been previously identified as intraday variables, but we had no way of knowing whether they would vary during our observations. The fact that all three exhibited IDV in polarization (but not in total intensity) during our experiment suggests that polarization IDV occurs frequently in at least some IDV sources.     

The Absolute Abundance of Iron in the Solar Corona

We present a measurement of the abundance of Fe relative to H in the solar corona using a technique that differs from previous spectroscopic and solar wind measurements. Our method combines EUV line data from the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory with thermal bremsstrahlung radio data from the VLA. The coronal Fe abundance is derived by equating the thermal bremsstrahlung radio emission calculated from the EUV Fe line data to that observed with the VLA, treating the Fe/H abundance as the sole unknown. We apply this technique to a compact cool active region and find Fe&solm0;H=1.56x10-4, or about 4 times its value in the solar photosphere. Uncertainties in the CDS radiometric calibration, the VLA intensity measurements, the atomic parameters, and the assumptions made in the spectral analysis yield net uncertainties of approximately 20%. This result implies that low first ionization potential elements such as Fe are enhanced in the solar corona relative to photospheric values.