arXiv subjects

Richard Dodson

Publications and source records attributed to Richard Dodson.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

Verification of the Effectiveness of VSOP-2 Phase Referencing with a Newly Developed Simulation Tool, ARIS

The next-generation space VLBI mission, VSOP-2, is expected to provide unprecedented spatial resolutions at 8.4, 22, and 43GHz. In this report, phase referencing with VSOP-2 is examined in detail based on a simulation tool called ARIS. The criterion for successful phase referencing was to keep the phase errors below one radian. Simulations with ARIS reveal that phase referencing achieves good performance at 8.4GHz, even under poor tropospheric conditions. At 22 and 43GHz, it is recommended to conduct phase referencing observations under good or typical tropospheric conditions. The satellite is required to have an attitude-switching capability with a one-minute or shorter cycle, and an orbit determination accuracy higher than about 10cm at apogee; the phase referencing calibrators are required to have a signal-to-noise ratio larger than four for a single scan. The probability to find a suitable phase referencing calibrator was estimated by using VLBI surveys. From the viewpoint of calibrator availability, VSOP-2 phase referencing at 8.4GHz is promising. However, the change of finding suitable calibrators at 22 and 43GHz is significantly reduced; it is important to conduct specific investigations for each target at those frequencies.

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arXiv2009

On the solution of the polarisation gain terms for VLBI data collected with antennas having Nasmyth or E-W mounts

I report on the development of new code to support the Nasmyth and E-W antenna mount types in AIPS which will allow polarisation analysis of observations made using these uncommon antenna configurations. These mount types may become more widely spread as they have several advantages, particularly for geodetic observatories. Multi-band observations, with multiple receivers, can only be fitted into telescopes with Nasmyth feeds. These are the requirements for the new generation of geodetic arrays as discussed in IVS2010. Further more the next generation of antennae will also be required to have very high slew rates, and these can be achieved with the E-W mount. The mount type affects the differential phase between the left and the right hand circular polarisations (LHC and RHC) for different points on the sky. The target antennae for the project was the Yebes 40m telescope, but as that was still under construction the data used as a demonstration was from the Pico Veleta antenna as part of the Global Millimeter VLBI Array (GMVA). For the E-W mount type there are suitable data from the Australian LBA array. I demonstrate the effectiveness of the changes made and that the Nasmyth and E-W corrections can be applied.

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arXiv2009

VLBA Scientific Memorandum n. 31: Astrometric calibration of mm-VLBI using "Source/Frequency Phase Referenced" observations

In this document we layout a new method to achieve "bona fide" high precision Very-Long-Baseline-Interferometry (VLBI) astrometric measurements of frequency-dependent positions of celestial sources (even) in the high (mm-wavelength) frequency range, where conventional phase referencing techniques fail. Our method, dubbed "Source/Frequency Phase Referencing" (SFPR) combines fast frequency-switching (or dual-frequency observations) with the source switching of conventional phase referencing techniques. The former is used to calibrate the dominant highly unpredictable rapid atmospheric fluctuations, which arise from variations of the water vapor content in the troposphere, and ultimately limit the application of conventional phase referencing techniques; the latter compensates the slower time scale remaining ionospheric/instrumental, non-negligible, phase variations. For cm-VLBI, the SFPR method is equivalent to conventional phase referencing applied to the measurement of frequency-dependent source positions changes ("core-shifts"). For mm-VLBI, the SFPR method stands as the only approach which will provide astrometry. In this memo we layout the scope and basis of our new method, along with a description of the strategy and a successful demonstration of the application of this new astrometric analysis technique to the highest frequency VLBA observations, at 86 GHz. Our previous comparative astrometric analysis of cm-VLBI observations, presented elsewhere, produced equivalent results using both methods.

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arXiv2009

VLBA Scientific Memorandum n. 32 - Multi-frequency Astrometry with VSOP-2: An application of Source/Frequency Phase Referencing techniques

This document describes the advantages of applying "Source/Frequency Phase Referencing" (SFPR) techniques to the analysis of VLBI observations with VSOP-2, for high precision astrometric measurements and/or increased sensitivity. The SFPR calibration technique basics and a demonstration of the method applied to highest frequency VLBA observations are described in detail in VLBA Scientific Memo n. 31. Here we outline its importance in the context of space VLBI astrometry with VSOP-2, where errors in the satellite orbit determination and rapid tropospheric phase fluctuations set extreme challenges for the successful application of conventional phase referencing techniques, specially at the higher frequencies. SFPR is ideally suited for full calibration of those - regardless of the orbit determination accuracy - and, in general, of any non-dispersive terms. The requirements for application of SFPR techniques are fully compatible with current technical specifications of VSOP-2. Hence we foresee that SFPR will play an important role in helping expanding the scientific outcome of the space VLBI mission.

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arXiv2006

Two decades of pulsar timing of Vela

Pulsar timing at the Mt Pleasant observatory has focused on Vela, which can be tracked for 18 hours of the day. These nearly continuous timing records extend over 24 years allowing a greater insight into details of timing noise, micro glitches and other more exotic effects. In particular we report the glitch parameters of the 2004 event, along with the reconfirmation that the spin up for the Vela pulsar occurs instantaneously to the accuracy of the data. This places a lower limit of about 30 seconds for the acceleration of the pulsar to the new rotational frequency. We also confirm of the low braking index for Vela, and the continued fall in the DM for this pulsar.

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arXiv2006

Milli-arcsecond--scale Spectral Properties and Jet Motions in M87

We have combined high resolution VLBI Space Observatory Programme (VSOP) data at 1.6 and 4.8 GHz with Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) data at higher frequencies and with similar resolutions to study the spectral properties of the core of M87 with milliarcsecond resolution. The VSOP data allow a more accurate measurement of the turn-over frequency, and hence more reliable determination of associated physical parameters of the source. Comparison of the images with previously published images yields no evidence for significant motion of components in the parsec-scale jet. In addition, the brightness temperatures obtained from model-fits to the core are well below the inverse Compton limit, suggesting the radio emission we are observing is not strongly Doppler boosted. Colour version on http://www.vsop.isas.jaxa.jp/survey/publications/m87.ps.gz

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arXiv2005

The Complex Wind Torus and Jets of PSR B1706-44

We report on Chandra ACIS imaging of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) of the young Vela-like PSR B1706-44, which shows the now common pattern of an equatorial wind and polar jets. The structure is particularly rich, showing a relativistically boosted termination shock, jets with strong confinement, a surrounding radio/X-ray PWN and evidence for a quasi-static `bubble nebula'. The structures trace the pulsar spin geometry and illuminate its possible relation to SNR G343.1-2.3. We also obtain improved estimates of the pulsar flux and nebular spectrum, constraining the system age and energetics.

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arXiv2005

Measurement of core-shifts with astrometric multi-frequency calibration

VLBI is unique, among the space geodetic techniques, in its contribution to defining and maintaining the International Celestial Reference Frame, providing precise measurements of coordinates of extragalactic radiosources. The quest for increasing accuracy of VLBI geodetic products has lead to a deeper revision of all aspects that might introduce errors in the analysis. The departure of the observed sources from perfect, stable, compact and achromatic celestial targets falls within this category. This paper is concerned with the impact of unaccounted frequency-dependent position shifts of source cores in the analysis of dual-band S/X VLBI geodesy observations, and proposes a new method to measure them. The multi-frequency phase transfer technique developed and demonstrated by Middelberg et al. (2005) increases the high frequency coherence times of VLBI observations, using the observations at a lower frequency. Our proposed SOURCE/FREQUENCY PHASE REFERENCING method endows it with astrometric applications by adding a strategy to estimate the ionospheric contributions. Here we report on the first successful application to measure the core shift of the quasar 1038+528 A at S and X-bands, and validate the results by comparison with those from standard phase referencing techniques. In this particular case, and in general in the cm-wavelength regime, both methods are equivalent. Moreover the proposed method opens a new horizon with targets and fields suitable for high precision astrometric studies with VLBI, especially at high frequencies where severe limitations imposed by the rapid fluctuations in the troposphere prevent the use of standard phase referencing techniques.

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arXiv2004

Measurement of the proper motion of Vela with the LBA

The first accurate measurements of Vela's proper motion were produced using the Parkes-Tidbinbilla Interferometer (PTI) (Bailes et al 1989). This 275 km baseline at 1.6 GHz gave a resolution of 140 mas and detected the proper motion and thus, by extrapolation, the birth site. We have extended this work to allow the third dimension to be derived via the parallax. We find the offset between the spin axis and the proper motion vector to be $9^o$, which limits acceleration time from the SN blast.

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arXiv2004

The Vela pulsar, the key?

Of all pulsars known Vela has been one of the most productive in terms in understanding pulsars and their characteristics. We present the latest results derived from Australian telescopes. These include a more accurate pulsar distance, a more precise pulsar local space velocity, a new model of the spin up and the association of a radio nebula with the X-ray pulsar wind nebula.

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arXiv2001

The Vela Pulsar Wind Nebula at 6cm

Observations using the Australia Telescope Compact Array at a wavelength of 6 cm have uncovered the radio counterpart to the compact X-ray nebula surrounding the Vela pulsar. Two lobes were found oriented about the spin axis of the pulsar, starting at the edge of X-ray emission, they extend to three times the size. The northern lobe has a bright, defined edge and an integrated flux of 0.14 Jy, while the southern lobe of 0.12 Jy is more diffuse.

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