VLA - Pie Town Link
Description
These two images of the quasar 3C84 are the first test of a new fiber-optic link between the Very Large Array and the Pie Town (PT) element of the Very Long Baseline Array. The image on the left shows the quasar as observed with the VLA only; the other image includes data from the PT antenna. Connecting the two arrays greatly enhances the resolving power of the VLA, that is, its ability to discern fine details of an object. Note the size difference of the images. The smaller image on the right demonstrates the improved resolution attained by the addition of the PT baseline. This fiber-optic link will enable astronomers to more accurately pinpoint the precise location of objects, and to detect interesting features that may otherwise go unnoticed, such as astrophysical jets or companion objects.
Creator
Legacy Astronomical Images
Rights
NRAO/AUI/NSF does not hold full copyright for this image. Contact the archivist for details.
Type
Legacy Astronomical Image
Object Name
3C84
Investigators
J. Ulvestad, et al.
Telescope
Very Large Array (VLA)
Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA)-Pie Town
Observation Date
1999-08-12
Type of Observation
continuum
Band
C
Wavelength
6 cm
Frequency
5.0 GHz
Center of Image
RA 3:19:48.160, Dec: 41:30:42.100 (J2000)
Field of View
0.001667 x 0.001667 degrees
Series
Active Galactic Nuclei Series
Unit
Quasars Unit
Citation
Legacy Astronomical Images, “VLA - Pie Town Link,” NRAO/AUI Archives, accessed August 17, 2024, https://www.nrao.edu/archives/items/show/33340.