Maser Astrometry with VLBI and the SKA
Abstract
We discuss the unique opportunities for maser astrometry with the inclusion of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) networks. The first phase of the SKA will enable observations of hydroxyl and methanol masers, positioning the latter to an accuracy of 5 microarcseconds, and the second phase may allow water maser observations. These observations will provide trigonometric distances with errors as small as 1%. The unrivalled sensitivity of the SKA will enable large-scale surveys and, through joint operations, will turn any VLBI network into a fast astrometry device. Both evolved stars and high mass star formation regions will be accessible throughout the (Southern) Milky Way, completing our understanding of the content, dynamics and history of our Galaxy. Maser velocities and proper motions will be measurable in the Local Group of galaxies and beyond, providing new insights into their kinematics and evolution.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1504.00485,
title = {Maser Astrometry with VLBI and the SKA},
author = {James A. Green and Huib Jan van Langevelde and Andreas Brunthaler and Simon Ellingsen and Hiroshi Imai and Wouter Vlemmings and Mark Reid and Anita Richards},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1504.00485},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
9 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the Proceedings of "Advancing Astrophysics with the Square Kilometre Array" PoS(AASKA14)119