Milliarcsecond Angular Resolution Research Articles

Imaging the Inner Astronomical Unit of the Herbig Be Star HD 190073

The inner regions of protoplanetary disks host many complex physical processes such as star–disk interactions, magnetic fields, planet formation, and the migration of new planets. To study directly this region requires milliarcsecond angular resolution, beyond the diffraction limit of the world's largest optical telescopes and even too small for the millimeter-wave interferometer Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). However, we can use infrared interferometers to image the inner astronomical unit. Here, we present new results from the CHARA and VLTI arrays for the young and luminous Herbig Be star HD 190073. We detect a sub-astronomical unit (sub-AU) cavity surrounded by a ring-like structure that we interpret as the dust destruction front. We model the shape with six radial profiles, three symmetric and three asymmetric, and present a model-free image reconstruction. All the models are consistent with a near face-on disk with an inclination ≲20°, and we measure an average ring radius of 1.4 ± 0.2 mas (1.14 au). Around 48% of the total flux comes from the disk with 15% of that emission appearing to emerge from inside the inner rim. The cause of emission is still unclear, perhaps due to different dust grain compositions or gas emission. The skewed models and the imaging point to an off-center star, possibly due to binarity. Our image shows sub-AU structure, which seems to move between the two epochs inconsistently with Keplerian motion and we discuss possible explanations for this apparent change.

SPARCS-North Wide-field VLBI Survey: exploring the resolved μJy extragalactic radio source population with EVN + e-MERLIN

ABSTRACT The SKA PAthfinder Radio Continuum Surveys (SPARCS) are providing deep-field imaging of the faint (sub-mJy) extragalactic radio source populations through a series of reference surveys. One of the key science goals for SPARCS is to characterize the relative contribution of radio emission associated with active galactic nucleus (AGN) from star formation (SF) in these faint radio source populations, using a combination of high sensitivity and high angular resolution imaging over a range of spatial scales (arcsec to mas). To isolate AGN contribution from SF, we hypothesize that there exists a brightness temperature cut-off point separating pure AGN from SF. We present a multiresolution (10–100 mas) view of the transition between compact AGN and diffuse SF through a deep wide-field EVN + e-MERLIN, multiple phase centre survey of the centre of the Northern SPARCS (SLOAN) reference field at 1.6 GHz. This is the first (and only) VLBI (+ e-MERLIN) milliarcsecond angular resolution observation of this field, and of the wider SPARCS reference field programme. Using these high spatial resolution (9 pc–0.3 kpc at z ∼ 1.25) data, 11 milliarcsec-scale sources are detected from a targeted sample of 52 known radio sources from previous observations with the e-MERLIN, giving a VLBI detection fraction of $\sim 21{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. At spatial scales of $\sim 9\,$pc, these sources show little to no jet structure whilst at $\sim 0.3\,$kpc one-sided and two-sided radio jets begin to emerge on the same sources, indicating a possible transition from pure AGN emissions to AGN and SF systems.

A lensed radio jet at milliarcsecond resolution I: Bayesian comparison of parametric lens models

ABSTRACT We investigate the mass structure of a strong gravitational lens galaxy at z = 0.350, taking advantage of the milliarcsecond (mas) angular resolution of very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) observations. In the first analysis of its kind at this resolution, we jointly infer the lens model parameters and pixellated radio source surface brightness. We consider several lens models of increasing complexity, starting from an elliptical power-law density profile. We extend this model to include angular multipole structures, a separate stellar mass component, additional nearby field galaxies, and/or a generic external potential. We compare these models using their relative Bayesian log-evidence (Bayes factor). We find strong evidence for angular structure in the lens; our best model is comprised of a power-law profile plus multipole perturbations and external potential, with a Bayes factor of +14984 relative to the elliptical power-law model. It is noteworthy that the elliptical power-law mass distribution is a remarkably good fit on its own, with additional model complexity correcting the deflection angles only at the ∼5 mas level. We also consider the effects of added complexity in the lens model on time-delay cosmography and flux-ratio analyses. We find that an overly simplistic power-law ellipsoid lens model can bias the measurement of H0 by ∼3 per cent and mimic flux ratio anomalies of ∼8 per cent. Our results demonstrate the power of high-resolution VLBI observations to provide strong constraints on the inner density profiles of lens galaxies.

The GRAVITY young stellar object survey

Context. Protoplanetary disks drive some of the formation process (e.g., accretion, gas dissipation, formation of structures) of stars and planets. Understanding such physical processes is one of the most significant astrophysical questions. HD 163296 is an interesting young stellar object for which infrared and sub-millimeter observations have shown a prominent circumstellar disk with gaps plausibly created by forming planets. Aims. This study aims to characterize the morphology of the inner disk in HD 163296 with multi-epoch, near-infrared interferometric observations performed with GRAVITY at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. Our goal is to depict the K-band (λ0 ~ 2.2 μm) structure of the inner rim with milliarcsecond (sub-au) angular resolution. Our data is complemented with archival Precision Integrated-Optics Near-infrared Imaging ExpeRiment (H-band; λ0 ~ 1.65 μm) data of the source. Methods. We performed a gradient descent parametric model fitting to recover the sub-au morphology of our source. Results. Our analysis shows the existence of an asymmetry in the disk surrounding the central star of HD 163296. We confirm variability of the disk structure in the inner ~2 mas (0.2 au). While variability of the inner disk structure in this source has been suggested by previous interferometric studies, this is the first time that it is confirmed in the H- and K-bands by using a complete analysis of the closure phases and squared visibilities over several epochs. Because of the separation from the star, position changes, and the persistence of this asymmetric structure on timescales of several years, we argue that it is probably a dusty feature (e.g., a vortex or dust clouds) made by a mixing of silicate and carbon dust and/or refractory grains, inhomogeneously distributed above the mid-plane of the disk.

Parsec-scale properties of the radio brightest jetted AGN atz> 6

We present Director’s Discretionary Time multi-frequency observations obtained with theJanskyVery Large Array and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) of the blazar PSO J030947.49+271757.31 (hereafter PSO J0309+27) atz = 6.10 ± 0.03. The milliarcsecond angular resolution of our VLBA observations at 1.5, 5, and 8.4 GHz unveils a bright one-sided jet extended for ∼500 parsecs in projection. This high-zradio-loud active galactic nucleus is resolved into multiple compact sub-components that are embedded in a more diffuse and faint radio emission that enshrouds them in a continuous jet structure. We directly derive limits on some physical parameters from observable quantities such as viewing angle and Lorentz and Doppler factors. If PSO J0309+27 is a genuine blazar, as suggested by its X-ray properties, then we find that its bulk Lorentz factor must be relatively low (lower than 5). This value would be in favour of a scenario currently proposed to reconcile the paucity of high-zblazars with current predictions. Nevertheless, we cannot exclude that PSO J0309+27 is seen under a larger viewing angle, which would imply that the X-ray emission must be enhanced, for example, by inverse Compton scattering with the cosmic microwave background. More stringent constraints on the bulk Lorentz factor in PSO J0309+27 and on these factors in the other high-zblazars are necessary to test whether their properties are intrinsically different from those of the low-zblazar population.

Constraining VLBI−optical offsets in high redshift galaxies using strong gravitational lensing

ABSTRACT We present a multiwavelength analysis of two highly magnified strong gravitationally lensed galaxies, CLASS B0712+472 and CLASS B1608+656, at redshifts 1.34 and 1.394, respectively, using new VLBI (very long baseline interferometry) and archival Hubble Space Telescope observations. We reconstruct the positions of the radio and optical emissions with their uncertainties using Monte Carlo sampling. We find that in CLASS B0712+472 the optical and radio emissions are co-spatial within 2 ± 5 mas (17 ± 42 pc at redshift of 1.34). But, in CLASS B1608+656, we reconstruct an optical–radio offset of 25 ± 16 mas (214 ± 137 pc at redshift of 1.394), among the smallest offsets measured for an AGN (active galactic nucleus) at such high redshift. The spectral features indicate that CLASS B1608+656 is a post-merger galaxy, which, in combination with the optical–VLBI offset reported here, makes CLASS B1608+656 a promising candidate for a high- z offset–AGN. Furthermore, the milliarcsecond angular resolution of the VLBI observations combined with the precise lens models allow us to spatially locate the radio emission at 0.05 mas precision (0.4 pc) in CLASS B0712+472, and 0.009 mas precision (0.08 pc) in CLASS B1608+656. The search for optical–radio offsets in high redshift galaxies will be eased by the upcoming synoptic all-sky surveys, including Extremely Large Telescope and Square Kilometre Array, which are expected to find ∼105 strongly lensed galaxies, opening an era of large strong lensing samples observed at high angular resolution.

Peering into the heart of darkness: Radio VLBI survey of the NEP deep field

AbstractActive Galactic Nuclei (AGN), accreting supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, are believed to produce powerful outflows – often observed as radio jets – which significantly influence the evolution of the surrounding galaxy and inter-galactic medium. However, how these jets – which are produced in the central parsecs of the AGN – impact gas on scales thousands to millions times larger is poorly understood. Doing so requires measuring the properties on all the relevant size scales. In this talk I will present initial results from the deepest-ever radio VLBI survey of an extragalactic field, whose milli-arcsecond angular resolution allows us to probe the central parsecs around these AGN. By comparing the radio properties of the detected radio jets with the multi-wavelength properties of their host galaxies, we are better to understand what galaxies generate powerful radio jets, and how do these outflows affect their host galaxies.

SHARP – V. Modelling gravitationally lensed radio arcs imaged with global VLBI observations

We present milliarcsecond (mas) angular resolution observations of the gravitationally lensed radio source MG J0751+2716 (at z= 3.2) obtained with global very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) at 1.65 GHz. The background object is highly resolved in the tangential and radial directions, showing evidence of both compact and extended structure across several gravitational arcs that are 200–600 mas in size. By identifying compact sub-components in the multiple images, we constrain the mass distribution of the foreground z = 0.35 gravitational lens using analytic models for the main deflector [power-law elliptical mass model; ρ(r) ∝ r−γ, where γ = 2 corresponds to isothermal] and for the members of the galaxy group. Moreover, our mass models with and without the group find an inner mass-density slope steeper than isothermal for the main lensing galaxy, with γ1 = 2.08 ± 0.02 and γ2 = 2.16 ± 0.02 at the 4.2σ level and 6.8σ level, respectively, at the Einstein radius (b1 = 0.4025 ± 0.0008 and b2 = 0.307 ± 0.002 arcsec, respectively). We find randomly distributed image position residuals of about 3 mas, which are much larger that the measurement errors (40 μas on average). This suggests that at the mas level, the assumption of a smooth mass distribution fails, requiring additional structure in the model. However, given the environment of the lensing galaxy, it is not clear whether this extra mass is in the form of sub-haloes within the lens or along the line of sight, or from a more complex halo for the galaxy group.

Development of low-loss mid-infrared ultrafast laser inscribed waveguides

The mid-infrared (mid-IR) is a spectral region (≈2 to 20 μm) that is of key importance in astronomy for applications such as exoplanet imaging and spectroscopic analysis. Long baseline stellar interferometry is the only imaging technique that offers the possibility to achieve milli-arcsecond angular resolution in the mid-IR. At the heart of such an interferometer is the beam combining instrument, which enables coherent beam combination of the signals from each baseline. In comparison to bulk-optic beam combiners, beam combiners that utilize photonic planar light wave circuits for interferometry provide a more scalable and stable platform. The current generation of beam combination circuits are fabricated using conventional fabrication technologies, using silica-based materials, and are thus not suitable for operation in the mid-IR. There is, therefore, a need to explore more unconventional waveguide fabrication technologies, capable of enabling the fabrication of low-loss mid-IR waveguides and photonic beam combining circuits. We report on the development of low-loss single-mode waveguides in a gallium lanthanum sulfide glass using ultrafast laser inscription. The optimum waveguides are found to exhibit a propagation loss of 0.25±0.05 dB cm−1.

Reflections on the discovery space for a large ultraviolet-visible telescope: inputs from the European-led EUVO exercise

The solutions to a number of astrophysical problems require access to the ultraviolet, optical, and infrared from space-based facilities, with capabilities beyond those available with Hubble Space Telescope or James Webb Space Telescope. A large ultraviolet-optical-infrared telescope will need to have a large collecting area and milliarcsecond angular resolution capabilities plus highly efficient instruments, providing a revolutionary enhancement in capability. During 2013, the European astronomical community was involved in an exercise to outline the big science that could be achieved with such a facility; the proposal was called EUVO (as per European Ultraviolet-Visible Observatory). Inspired by that work, we describe a proposal on future science and instrumentation to be carried out with a 10-m class telescope.

European VLBI Network imaging of 6.7 GHz methanol masers

Methanol masers at 6.7 GHz are well known tracers of high-mass star-forming regions. However, their origin is still not clearly understood. We aimed to determine the morphology and velocity structure for a large sample of the maser emission with generally lower peak flux densities than those in previous surveys. Using the European VLBI Network we imaged the remaining sources (17) from a sample of sources that were selected from the unbiased survey using the Torun 32 m dish. Together they form a database of a total of 63 source images with high sensitivity, milliarcsecond angular resolution and very good spectral resolution for detailed studies. We studied in detail the properties of the maser clouds and calculated the mean and median values of the projected size (17.4 au and 5.5 au, respectively) as well as the FWHM of the line (0.373 km s$^{-1}$ and 0.315 km s$^{-1}$ for the mean and median values, respectively), testing whether it was consistent with Gaussian profile. We also found maser clouds with velocity gradients (71 per cent) that ranged from 0.005 km s$^{-1}$ au$^{-1}$ to 0.210 km s$^{-1}$ au$^{-1}$. We tested the kinematic models to explain the observed structures of the 6.7 GHz emission. There were targets where the morphology supported the scenario of a rotating and expanding disk or a bipolar outflow. Comparing the interferometric and single-dish spectra we found that, typically, 50-70 per cent of the flux was missing. This phenomena is not strongly related to the distance of the source. The EVN imaging reveals that in the complete sample of 63 sources the ring-like morphology appeared in 17 per cent of sources, arcs were seen in a further 8 per cent, and the structures were complex in 46 per cent cases. The UC HII regions coincide in position in the sky for 13 per cent of the sources. They are related both to extremely high and low luminosity masers from the sample.

Outflow structure within 1000 au of high-mass YSOs

Context. In high-mass (≥7 M ⊙ ) star formation (SF) studies, high-angular resolution is crucial for resolving individual protostellar outflows (and possibly accretion disks) from the complex contribution of nearby (high- and low-mass) young stellar objects (YSO). Previous interferometric studies have focused mainly on single objects.Aims. A sensitive survey at high angular resolution is required to investigate outflow processes in a statistically significant sample of high-mass YSOs and on spatial scales relevant to testing theories. Methods. We selected a sample of 40 high-mass YSOs from water masers observed within the BeSSeL Survey. We investigated the 3D velocity and spatial structures of the molecular component of massive outflows at milli-arcsecond angular resolution using multi-epoch Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations of 22 GHz water masers. We also characterize the ionized component of the flows using deep images of the radio continuum emission with resolutions of ~0. 2, at 6, 13, and 22 GHz with the Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA). Results. We report the first results obtained for a subset of 11 objects from the sample. The water maser measurements provide us with a very accurate description of the molecular gas kinematics. This in turn enables us to estimate the momentum rate of individual outflows, varying in the range 10-3 –100 M ⊙ yr-1 km s-1 , among the highest values reported in the literature. In all the observed objects, the continuum emission at 13 and 22 GHz has a compact structure, with its position coincident with that of the water masers. The 6 GHz continuum consists of either compact components (mostly well aligned with the 13 and/or 22 GHz sources) or extended emission (either highly elongated or approximately spherical), which can be offset by up to a few arcseconds from the water masers. The unresolved continuum emission associated with the water masers likely points to the YSO location. The comparison of the radio continuum morphology to the maser spatial and 3D velocity distribution shows that five out of elevenhigh-mass YSOs emit a collimated outflow, with a flow semi-opening angle in the range 10°–30°. The remaining six sources present a more complicated relationship between the geometry of the radio continuum and water maser velocity pattern; therefore, no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding their outflow structure. In two sources, the 6 GHz continuum emission shows a highly elongated structure with a negative spectral index down to −1.2. We interpret this finding in terms of synchrotron emission from relativistic electrons accelerated in strong shocks, which indicates that non-thermal continuum emission could be common in high-mass protostellar jets. The Lyman continua derived from bolometric luminosities always exceed those obtained from the radio luminosities.Conclusions. These first results suggest that collimated outflows or jets can be common in high-mass YSOs and, in a couple of cases, provide hints that magnetic fields could be important in driving these jets. To draw firmer conclusions, however, we await completion of the analysis for the entire sample of 40 high-mass YSOs.

Combining optical spectroscopy and interferometry

AbstractModern optical spectrographs and optical interferometers push the limits in the spectral and spatial regime, providing important new tools for the exploration of the Universe. In this contribution I outline the complementary nature of spectroscopic and interferometric observations and discuss different strategies for combining such data. Most remarkable, the latest generation of “spectro‐interferometric” instruments combine the milliarcsecond angular resolution achievable with interferometry with spectral capabilities, enabling direct constraints on the distribution, density, kinematics, and ionization structure of the gas component in protoplanetary disks. I will present some selected studies from the field of star‐ and planet formation and hot star research in order to illustrate these fundamentally new observational opportunities. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Spatially resolving the atmospheric dynamics over the surface of red supergiants with the Very Large Telescope Interferometer

The mass-loss mechanism in red supergiants is a long-stand-ing problem. The milliarcsecond angular resolution achieved by infrared long-baseline interferometry provides us with the only way to spatially resolve the region where the material is accelerated. For this goal, the 2.3 μ m CO lines are important, because they form in the upper photosphere and the outer atmosphere (so-called MOLsphere). We present high-spatial and high-spectral resolution observations of the 2.3 μ m CO lines in the red supergiants Betelgeuse and Antares using the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). This has enabled us to spatially resolve the gas dynamics in the photosphere (and the MOLsphere) for the first time other than the Sun. We have detected vigorous motions of large CO gas clumps with velocities of up to 20–30 km s-1 . Comparison of the CO line data taken 1 year apart shows a significant change in the dynamics of the atmosphere. In contrast to the CO line data, the continuum data reveal no or only marginal time variations. The observationally estimated gas density in the outer atmosphere at 1.3–1.4 R ⋆ is higher than the values predicted by the current 3-D convection simulations by 6 to 11 orders of magnitude. Therefore, at the moment, convection alone cannot explain the detected vigorous gas motions in the extended outer atmosphere of Betelgeuse and Antares.

First laboratory results with the LINC-NIRVANA high layer wavefront sensor

In the field of adaptive optics, multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) can greatly increase the size of the corrected field of view (FoV) and also extend sky coverage. By applying layer oriented MCAO (LO-MCAO) [4], together with multiple guide stars (up to 20) and pyramid wavefront sensors [7], LINC-NIRVANA (L-N for short) [1] will provide two AO-corrected beams to a Fizeau interferometer to achieve 10 milliarcsecond angular resolution on the Large Binocular Telescope. This paper presents first laboratory results of the AO performance achieved with the high layer wavefront sensor (HWS). This sensor, together with its associated deformable mirror (a Xinetics-349), is being operated in one of the L-N laboratories. AO reference stars, spread across a 2 arc-minute FoV and with aberrations resulting from turbulence introduced at specific layers in the atmosphere, are simulated in this lab environment. This is achieved with the Multi-Atmosphere Phase screen and Stars (MAPS) [2] unit. From the wavefront data, the approximate residual wavefront error after correction has been calculated for different turbulent layer altitudes and wind speeds. Using a somewhat undersampled CCD, the FWHM of stars in the nearly 2 arc-minute FoV has also been measured. These test results demonstrate that the high layer wavefront sensor of LINC-NIRVANA will be able to achieve uniform AO correction across a large FoV.

ON THE CONNECTION OF THE APPARENT PROPER MOTION AND THE VLBI STRUCTURE OF COMPACT RADIO SOURCES

Many of the compact extragalactic radio sources that are used as fiducial points to define the celestial reference frame are known to have proper motions detectable with long-term geodetic/astrometric Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) measurements. These changes can be as high as several hundred micro-arcseconds per year for certain objects. When imaged with VLBI at milli-arcsecond (mas) angular resolution, these sources (radio-loud active galactic nuclei) typically show structures dominated by a compact, often unresolved "core" and a one-sided "jet". The positional instability of compact radio sources is believed to be connected with changes in their brightness distribution structure. For the first time, we test this assumption in a statistical sense on a large sample, not only for individual objects. We investigate a sample of 62 radio sources for which reliable long-term time series of astrometric positions as well as detailed 8-GHz VLBI brightness distribution models are available. We compare the characteristic direction of their extended jet structure and the direction of their apparent proper motion. We present our data and analysis method, and conclude that there is indeed a correlation between the two characteristic directions. However, there are cases where the ~1-10-mas scale VLBI jet directions are significantly misaligned with respect to the apparent proper motion direction.

Fresnel Interferometric Imager: ground-based prototype

The Fresnel Interferometric Imager is a space-based astronomical telescope project yielding milli-arcsecond angular resolution and high contrast images with loose manufacturing constraints. This optical concept involves diffractive focusing and formation flying: a first "primary optics" space module holds a large binary Fresnel array, and a second "focal module" holds optical elements and focal instruments that allow for chromatic dispersion correction. We have designed a reduced-size Fresnel Interferometric Imager prototype and made optical tests in our laboratory in order to validate the concept for future space missions. The primary module of this prototype consists of a square, 8 cm side, 23 m focal length Fresnel array. The focal module is composed of a diaphragmed small telescope used as "field lens," a small cophased diverging Fresnel zone lens that cancels the dispersion, and a detector. An additional module collimates the artificial targets of various shapes, sizes, and dynamic ranges to be imaged. We describe the experimental setup, different designs of the primary Fresnel array, and the cophased Fresnel zone lens that achieves rigorous chromatic correction. We give quantitative measurements of the diffraction limited performances and dynamic range on double sources. The tests have been performed in the visible domain, lambda = 400-700 nm. In addition, we present computer simulations of the prototype optics based on Fresnel propagation that corroborate the optical tests. This numerical tool has been used to simulate the large aperture Fresnel arrays that could be sent to space with diameters of 3 to 30 m, foreseen to operate from Lyman alpha (121 nm) to mid IR (25 microm).

Milliarcsecond angular resolution of reddened stellar sources in the vicinity of the Galactic center

We present lunar occultation observations obtained in August 2006 with the recently demonstrated burst mode of the ISAAC instrument at the ESO VLT. The results presented here follow the previously reported observations carried out in March 2006 on a similar but unrelated set of sources. Interstellar extinction in the inner regions of the galactic bulge amounts to tens of magnitudes at visual wavelengths. As a consequence, the majority of sources in that area are poorly studied and large numbers of potentially interesting sources such as late-type giants with circumstellar shells, stellar masers, infrared stars, remain excluded from the typical investigations which are carried out in less problematic regions. Also undetected are a large numbers of binaries. By observing LO events in this region, we gain the means to investigate at least a selected number of sources with an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and angular resolution. The LO technique permits to achieve mas resolution with a sensitivity of K~12mag at a very large telescope. We have used the opportunity of a favorable passage of the Moon over a crowded region in the general direction of the Galactic Center to observe 78 LO events of heavily reddened stellar sources. We have detected six new binary and one triple star, with typical projected separation of ~0.01. We have also detected the compact circumstellar emission around one maser and one central star of a planetary nebula. Additionally we have measured the diameter and/or circumstellar shell of two carbon stars and other IR sources. In agreement with our previous result, we conclude that lunar occultations in fast read-out mode on a detector subwindow at an 8m-class telescope can achieve an angular resolution close to 0.001 with a sensitivity K~12mag.

Milliarcsecond angular resolution of reddened stellar sources in the vicinity of the Galactic center

Context. We present lunar occultation (LO) observations obtained in August 2006 with the recently demonstrated burst mode of the ISAAC instrument at the ESO VLT. The results presented here follow the previously reported observations carried out in March 2006 on a similar but unrelated set of sources. Aims. Interstellar extinction in the inner regions of the galacti c bulge amounts to tens of magnitudes at visual wavelengths. As a consequence, the majority of sources in that area are poorly studied and large numbers of potentially interesting sources such as latetype giants with circumstellar shells, stellar masers, inf rared stars, remain excluded from the typical investigatio ns which are carried out in less problematic regions. Also undetected are a large numbers of binaries. By observing LO events in this region, we gain the means to investigate at least a selected number of sources with an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and angular resolution. Methods. The LO technique permits to achieve milliarcsecond resolution with a sensitivity of K≈12 mag at a very large telescope. We have used the opportunity of a favorable passage of the Moon over a crowded region in the general direction of the Galactic Center to observe 78 LO events of heavily reddened stellar sources. Results. We have detected six new binary and one triple star, with typical projected separation of≈ 0. 01. We have also detected the compact circumstellar emission around one maser and one central star of a planetary nebula. Additionally we have measured the diameter and/or circumstellar shell of two carbon stars and other IR sources. Conclusions. We have used the upper limits on the size of about 60 unresolved or marginally resolved sources to establish the performance of the method. In agreement with our previous result, we conclude that lunar occultations in fast read-out m ode on a detector subwindow at an 8 m-class telescope can achieve an angular resolution close to 0. ′′ 001 with a sensitivity K≈ 12 mag.

Lobe advance velocities in the extragalactic compact symmetric object 4C 31.04

We report on the results of a two epoch study of the low power Compact Symmetric Object 4C 31.04. Observations performed with the VLBA at 5 GHz in 1995 and 2000 have yielded images of this source at milliarcsecond angular resolution. A central core is detected, with bright compact hot spots and extended lobes on both sides. Model-fitting and other analys is of the data (brightness profile, di fference map) clearly indicate that the source is expanding. We estimate the velocity of this expansion to be (0.085± 0.016) mas/yr, i.e. (0.33± 0.06) h −1 65 c in both hot spots. Assuming a constant expansion velocity, we estimate the kinematic age of the source at 550 yrs. We also study the spectral index using VLBA observations at 1.3 GHz and MERLIN at 22 GHz. The derived spectral age is 3000-5000 years in equipartition conditions. The two estimates are discuss ed and found to be in agreement, given present uncertainties.