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Preface

The principal focus of VLBI group research is on the parsec and sub-parsec scale radio sources associated with various classes of Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) and increasingly also on galactic superluminal sources associated with X-ray binary systems.The main types of AGN being investigated are associated with highly luminous blazars, quasars and radio galaxies, as well as with the much less luminous Seyfert galaxies and normal elliptical galaxies.

Quasar 3C273

NGC1052

The luminosity in this Zequence of objects ranges cover more than 10 orders of magnitude, with the maximum reaching about 1046 erg/s. Our research projects are primarily based on observations at highest possible angular resolution in the milliarcsecond and submilliarcsecond range using VLBI arrays at centimeter and millimeter wavelengths. We use VLBI arrays such as the  European VLBI Network (EVN) the  VLB Array (VLBA) and Global 3mm VLBI array for observations at frequencies up to 86 GHz.

Many of these projects make use of the Effelsberg 100-m antenna which is, even at a frequency as high as 86 GHz, one of the most sensitive interferometer elements available. We operate with our geodesy colleagues the MPIfR-BKG  Mark IV correlator. The group is engaged in the effort to advance VLBI imaging at frequencies around 86 GHz, 150 GHz, and 300 GHz with the existing telescopes and several new millimeter wavelength instruments under construction. The group is also actively involved in the development of major future radio astronomical instruments including the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and LOFAR, aiming at developing further high-resolution interferometry as one of the frontlines of radioastronomy and at exploiting its scientific potential.

Cygnus A