mmVLBI

mmVLBI, or millimeter Very Long Baseline Interferometry, is a technique used in radio astronomy to achieve extremely high angular resolution. It operates at wavelengths in the millimeter range, typically between 1 and 10 millimeters, which corresponds to frequencies between 30 and 300 GHz. This technique allows astronomers to study celestial objects with unprecedented detail, making it particularly useful for observing active galactic nuclei, quasars, and other compact sources.

mmVLBI builds upon the principles of VLBI, which combines signals from multiple radio telescopes separated by large distances to create a virtual telescope with a resolution equivalent to the distance between the telescopes. By operating at shorter wavelengths, mmVLBI can achieve even higher resolution, enabling the observation of finer details in astronomical objects.

The technique requires precise synchronization of the telescopes and advanced data processing techniques to handle the large volumes of data generated. mmVLBI observations are typically conducted using arrays of telescopes, such as the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), which has successfully imaged the supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy M87.

mmVLBI has significant implications for astrophysics, as it allows for the study of fundamental processes in the universe, such as the accretion of matter onto black holes, the dynamics of relativistic jets, and the structure of active galactic nuclei. The high resolution provided by mmVLBI enables astronomers to test theories of gravity and probe the extreme environments near black holes.