RadioAstron Mission Research Articles

Multiband RadioAstron space VLBI imaging of the jet in quasar S5 0836+710

Context. Detailed studies of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) require high-fidelity imaging at the highest possible resolution. This can be achieved using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) at radio frequencies, combining worldwide (global) VLBI arrays of radio telescopes with a space-borne antenna on board a satellite. Aims. We present multiwavelength images made of the radio emission in the powerful quasar S5 0836+710, obtained using a global VLBI array and the antenna Spektr-R of the RadioAstron mission of the Russian Space Agency, with the goal of studying the internal structure and physics of the relativistic jet in this object. Methods. The RadioAstron observations at wavelengths of 18 cm, 6 cm, and 1.3 cm are part of the Key Science Program for imaging radio emission in strong AGN. The internal structure of the jet is studied by analyzing transverse intensity profiles and modeling the structural patterns developing in the flow. Results. The RadioAstron images reveal a wealth of structural detail in the jet of S5 0836+710 on angular scales ranging from 0.02 mas to 200 mas. Brightness temperatures in excess of 1013 K are measured in the jet, requiring Doppler factors of ≥100 for reconciling them with the inverse Compton limit. Several oscillatory patterns are identified in the ridge line of the jet and can be explained in terms of the Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) instability. The oscillatory patterns are interpreted as the surface and body wavelengths of the helical mode of the KH instability. The interpretation provides estimates of the jet Mach number and of the ratio of the jet to the ambient density, which are found to be Mj ≈ 12 and η ≈ 0.33. The ratio of the jet to the ambient density should be conservatively considered an upper limit because its estimate relies on approximations.

Compensation of Atmospheric Hindrances in Measuring the Gravitational Redshift Using Satellites On-board Clocks

The possibility of compensating the atmospheric influence on precision measurement of gravitational ‘‘redshift’’ using the Earth orbiting satellites is discussed. For a communication radio signal propagating from a ground-based tracking station to a spacecraft and back, the interaction with the ionosphere and the troposphere produces a undesirable contribution to the total frequency shift which must be removed by specific data processing. In the paper we present a brief overview of atmospheric hindrances with estimation of their magnitudes. Then, the algorithms for filtering the gravitational effects against the atmospheric noise background are considered. The efficiency of such filtering is illustrated using the example of gravitational measurements with Spectr-R satellite in the RadioAstron mission.

Imaging strong blazars with space VLBI

The RadioAstron mission has obtained a series of detailed multi-frequency images of the brightest blazars of the radio sky concentrated in three key science programs. We present here results of the program on powerful jets in blazars. In the first two years of the mission, observations of compact relativistic jets in 0836+710, 3C345, 3C273, and 4C+69.21 were made at λλ18, 6, and 1.3 cm. The resulting images have revealed compact emitting regions with brightness temperature in excess of 1013 K and a complex jet structure that can be explained by plasma instability developing in a relativistic outflow.We present here some highlights of these space-VLBI observations, designed to resolve the innermost regions in these powerful targets and address some of the still unanswered questions on their physical nature.

RadioAstron orbit determination and evaluation of its results using correlation of space-VLBI observations

A crucial part of a space mission for very-long baseline interferometery (VLBI), which is the technique capable of providing the highest resolution images in astronomy, is orbit determination of the mission’s space radio telescope(s). In order to successfully detect interference fringes that result from correlation of the signals recorded by a ground-based and a space-borne radio telescope, the propagation delays experienced in the near-Earth space by radio waves emitted by the source and the relativity effects on each telescope’s clock need to be evaluated, which requires accurate knowledge of position and velocity of the space radio telescope. In this paper we describe our approach to orbit determination (OD) of the RadioAstron spacecraft of the RadioAstron space-VLBI mission. Determining RadioAstron’s orbit is complicated due to several factors: strong solar radiation pressure, a highly eccentric orbit, and frequent orbit perturbations caused by the attitude control system. We show that in order to maintain the OD accuracy required for processing space-VLBI observations at cm-wavelengths it is required to take into account the additional data on thruster firings, reaction wheel rotation rates, and attitude of the spacecraft. We also investigate into using the unique orbit data available only for a space-VLBI spacecraft, i.e. the residual delays and delay rates that result from VLBI data processing, as a means to evaluate the achieved OD accuracy. We present the results of the first experience of OD accuracy evaluation of this kind, using more than 5000 residual values obtained as a result of space-VLBI observations performed over 7 years of the RadioAstron mission operations.

Anisotropic Scattering of the Radio Emission of the Pulsar B0833–45 in the Vela Supernova Remnant

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations of the pulsar B0833–45 have been carried out as part of the scientific program of the RadioAstron mission. Ground support was provided by the Long Baseline Array, which includes radio telescopes in Australia and other countries in the southern hemisphere. The VLBI observations of the pulsar are analyzed in order to derive the parameters characterizing the scattering of the pulsar radio emission: the angular size of the scattering disk, the spatial scale of the diffraction pattern, the drift velocity of this pattern relative to the observer, the pulse scattering time scale, and the characteristic scintillation time and frequency scales, as well as the index of the electrondensity fluctuation spectrum. Comparison of these values with the predictions of the theory of scattering on a thin screen enables the determination of the position of the effective screen along the line of sight. Estimates made using various methods give distances to the screen from the observer of 0.79 to 0.87 times the total distance to the pulsar. Although the position of the screen is beyond the boundary of the Vela supernova remnant, this object may play the dominant role in the scattering. The scattering disk is an ellipse with a 2:1 axis ratio and with the inferred position angle of the major axis being ≈ 50°, based on the changes in the visibility-function amplitude for various orientations of the projected baseline. This conclusion is supported by the shape of the visibility-function amplitude as a function of the delay.

Active galactic nuclei imaging programs of the RadioAstron mission

Imaging relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) at angular resolution significantly surpassing that of the ground-based VLBI at centimetre wavelengths is one of the key science objectives of the RadioAstron space-VLBI mission. There are three RadioAstron imaging key science programs that target both nearby radio galaxies and blazars, with one of the programs specifically focusing on polarimetry of the jets. The first images from these programs reach angular resolution of a few tens of microarcseconds and reveal unprecedented details about the jet collimation profile, magnetic field configuration, and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities along the flow in some of the most studied AGN (3C84, BL Lac, 3C273, S50836 + 710). Here we give an overview of the goals and strategy of these three ongoing programs, highlight their early results, and discuss the challenges of space-VLBI imaging.

Filtration of the Gravitational Frequency Shift in Radio Link Communications with Earth’s Satellites

At present the Radioastron (RA) Earth's satellite having very elliptic orbit is used for probing of the gravitational red shift effect [1, 2]. Objective of this test consists in the enhancing accuracy of measurement to check the correspondence of value of the effect to Einsten's theory at one order of value better then in was done in the GP-A experiment [3]. There are two H-masers in disposal, one at the board of satellite and other at the Land Tracking Station (LTS). One can compare its mutual time rate using communication radio links between RA and LTS. In contrast with the GP-A experiment there is a possibility of measurement repetition and accumulation of data in the process of RA orbital circulation. In principle it might be resulted in the increasing of the integral accuracy. In this paper we investigate the achievable accuracy in the frame of particular method of the red shift extraction associated with the techical specific of RA mission.

A wide and collimated radio jet in 3C 84

AbstractI report observations of 3C84 (NGC 1275), the central galaxy of the Perseus cluster, made with an interferometric array including the orbiting radio telescope of the RadioAstron mission. The data transversely resolve the edge-brightened jet in 3C84 only 0.03 mas from the core, which is ten times closer to the central engine than was possible in previous ground-based observations. To better understand physical properties of this peculiar source, I will discuss its present properties in comparison to the past and more recent evolution in the radio band of 3C 84.

A wide and collimated radio jet in 3C84 on the scale of a few hundred gravitational radii

Understanding the launching, acceleration, and collimation of jets powered by active galactic nuclei remains an outstanding problem in relativistic astrophysics. This is partly because observational tests of jet formation models suffer from the limited angular resolution of ground-based very long baseline interferometry that has thus far been able to probe the transverse jet structure in the acceleration and collimation zone of only two sources. Here we report radio interferometric observations of 3C 84 (NGC 1275), the central galaxy of the Perseus cluster, made with an array including the orbiting radio telescope of the RadioAstron mission. The obtained image transversely resolves the edge-brightened jet in 3C 84 only 30 microarcseconds from the core, which is ten times closer to the central engine than what has been possible in previous ground-based observations, and it allows us to measure the jet collimation profile from ~ 100 to ~10000 gravitational radii from the black hole. The previously found, almost cylindrical jet profile on scales larger than a few thousand r_g is now seen to continue at least down to a few hundred r_g from the black hole and we find a broad jet with a transverse radius larger than about 250 r_g at only 350 r_g from the core. If the bright outer jet layer is launched by the black hole ergosphere, it has to rapidly expand laterally on scales smaller than 100 r_g. If this is not the case, then this jet sheath is likely launched from the accretion disk.

RadioAstron space-VLBI project: studies of masers in star forming regions of our Galaxy and megamasers in external galaxies

AbstractObservations of the masers in the course of RadioAstron mission yielded detections of fringes for a number of sources in both water and hydroxyl maser transitions. Several sources display numerous ultra-compact details. This proves that implementation of the space VLBI technique for maser studies is possible technically and is not always prevented by the interstellar scattering, maser beaming and other effects related to formation, transfer, and detection of the cosmic maser emission. For the first time, cosmic water maser emission was detected with projected baselines exceeding Earth Diameter. It was detected in a number of star-forming regions in the Galaxy and two megamaser galaxies NGC 4258 and NGC 3079. RadioAstron observations provided the absolute record of the angular resolution in astronomy. Fringes from the NGC 4258 megamaser were detected on baseline exceeding 25 Earth Diameters. This means that the angular resolution sufficient to measure the parallax of the water maser source in the nearby galaxy LMC was directly achieved in the cosmic maser observations. Very compact features with angular sizes about 20\muas\, have been detected in star-forming regions of our Galaxy. Corresponding linear sizes are about 5-10 million kilometers. So, the major step from milli- to micro-arcsecond resolution in maser studies is achieved by the RadioAstron mission. The existence of the features with extremely small angular sizes is established. Further implementations of the space–VLBI maser instrument for studies of the nature of cosmic objects, studies of the interaction of extremely high radiation field with molecular material and studies of the matter on the line of sight are planned.

Peculiarities of Maser Data Correlation / Postcorrelation in Radioastron Mission

AbstractWe discuss specific aspects of space-ground VLBI (SVLBI) data processing of spectral line experiments (H2O & OH masers) in Radioastron project. In order to meet all technical requirements of the Radioastron mission a new software FX correlator (ASCFX) and the unique data archive which stores raw data from all VLBI stations for all experiments of the project were developed in Astro Space Center. Currently all maser observations conducted in Radioastron project were correlated using the ASCFX correlator. Positive detections on the space-ground baselines were found in 38 sessions out of 144 (detection rate of about 27%). Finally, we presented upper limits on the angular size of the most compact spots observed in two galactic H2O masers, W3OH(H2O) and OH043.8-0.1.

Improvement of the orbit of the Spektr-R spacecraft in the RadioAstron mission and required conditions for improvement using a Kalman filter

This paper is concerned with improvement of the state vector of the Spektr-R spacecraft of the RadioAstron mission. The state vector includes three coordinates of the position of the spacecraft and three components of its velocity in the Geocentric Celestial Reference System. Improvement of the orbit of the spacecraft is understood as improvement of the state vector. The results are compared with the original orbits determined at the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics (IAM). The paper considers both using the Kalman filter based on a single set of radio-range and Doppler data from ground-based stations and the analysis of conditions that will lead to improvement of the orbit. It has been shown that using three ground-based stations that perform simultaneous measurements the problem is solved completely, even when a poor initial approximation is used. Based on the results, a list of requirements is obtained that will provide more accurate information on the orbit of the Spektr-R spacecraft.

Probing cosmic plasma with giant pulses from the crab nebula pulsar

A review and comparative analysis of results from studies of the effects of scattering on the interstellar medium using giant pulses of the Crab Nebula pulsar (B0531+21) are presented. This analysis was based on eight epochs of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio observations carried out as part of the scientific program of the Radio Astron mission during 2011–2015. The scintillation timescale tscint and spectral index γ for the power-law energy distribution of the pulses were obtained for each observing epoch. The measured scintillation timescales are tscint = 7.5−123 s at 1668 MHz and tscint = 2.9 s at 327 MHz. The spectral indices are −1.6...−2.5. The frequency and time characteristics of the scattering were measured using two independent methods: based on the decorrelation bandwidth Δνd and the scattering timescale τSC. The angular size of the scattering disk θH of the pulsar was obtained, the phase structure functions constructed, and the distance to the effective scattering screen estimated. The derived diameter of the scattering disk θH at 1668 MHz ranges from 0.4 to 1.3 mas, while the scatteringdisk diameter at 327 MHz is 14.0 mas. The measured distance to the effective scattering screen ranges from 0.7 to 1.9 kpc, and varies from observation to observation in the same way as the scattering timescale and decorrelation bandwidth: τSC ≈ 0.9−5.8 μs and Δνd ≈ 40.7−161 kHz at 1668 MHz. The scattering timescale and decorrelation bandwidth at 327 MHz are 2340 μs and 68 Hz.

Improvement of the orbit of the Spektr-R spacecraft in the RadioAstron mission on the basis of radio range and Doppler measurements

The first results of the improvement of the state vector of the Spektr-R spacecraft of the RadioAstron mission, which is a part of an earth–space radio interferometer, are presented. The state vector includes three components for the spacecraft position and three components for its velocity in the Geocentric Celestial Reference System. Kalman filtering on the basis of radio range and Doppler data allows refinement of the components at each iteration. It is shown that orbit improvement increases the accuracy of the orbit determined at the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics.

Testing of the ground-based VLBI stations Yevpatoria-Simeiz-Pushchino of the RadioAstron mission

Results are presented of the ground-based VLBI experiments conducted at RadioAstron frequencies between the VLBI sites Simeiz (RT-22)-Yevpatoria (RT-70) and Simeiz (RT-22)-Pushchino (RT-22).

Orbit design for the Spektr-R spacecraft of the ground-space interferometer

In order to carry out tasks of the RadioAstron mission, a high-apogee orbit was designed. On average, the period of its satellite’s orbit around the Earth is 8.5 days with evolution due to gravitational perturbations produced by the Moon and the Sun. The perigee and apogee of this orbit vary within the limits 7500–70000 km and 270000–333000 km, respectively. The basic evolution of the orbit represents a rotation of its plane around the line of apsides. Over 3 years, the plane normal to the orbit draws on the celestial sphere an oval with a semi-major axis of about 150° and semi-minor axis of about 45°.

Navigation support for the RadioAstron mission

A developed method of determination of orbital parameters allows one to estimate, along with orbit elements, some additional parameters that characterize solar radiation pressure and perturbing accelerations due to unloadings of reactiion wheels. A parameterized model of perturbing action of solar radiation pressure on the spacecraft motion is described (this model takes into account the shape, reflecting properties of surfaces, and spacecraft attitude). Some orbit determination results are presented obtained by the joint processing of radio measurements of slant range and Doppler, laser range measurements used to calibrate the radio measurements, optical observations of right ascension and declination, and telemetry data on spacecraft thrusters’ firings during an unloading of reaction wheels.

Testing of ground-based VLBI stations of radioastron mission: Simeiz-evpatoriya interferometer at 6- and 18-cm wavelengths

As part of the scientific cooperation between Ukraine and Russia, a series of studies on the preparation of the ground segment of the RadioAstron mission has been carried out. A scientific program of measurements to be performed using the 22-m RT-22 radio telescope (Crimean Astrophysical Observatory) has been prepared. A substantial part of this program is the study of compact structures in extragalactic sources. Ground-based VLBI test experiments at 6 and 18 cm intended for testing a model of the ground segments of the RadioAstron mission have been carried out at RT-22 of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Simeiz and RT-70 (P-2500) in Evpatoriya. The processing of the data recorded by each antenna resulted in obtaining and calibrating responses of cross-correlation functions using the ASC LPI correlator. The results of the experiment demonstrate the readiness of RT-22 and RT-70 to participate in the ground-space radio interferometer sessions in the RadioAstron mission.

Тестирование наземного сегмента миссии «РадиоАстрон». Интерферометр Симеиз ‒ Пущино на длинах волн 6 см и 1.35 см

Тестирование наземного сегмента миссии «РадиоАстрон». Интерферометр Симеиз ‒ Пущино на длинах волн 6 см и 1.35 см

RadioAstron: relativistic frequency change and time-scale shift

The plans to launch the RadioAstron space system in the near future and the realization the planned record resolution of 1 microarcsecond will require the precise determination of the satellite orbit. Suitable models for the satellite motion must be provided, including taking into account relativistic effects. We have obtained equations making it possible to construct time scales on board the satellite and at the observation point with accuracy up to 1 ps, as well as relativistic relations for measuring the distance to the satellite using one-way and two-way techniques and the Doppler effect, with a relative uncertainty of 10−15, necessary for achieving the precision required for the RadioAstron mission.