Over-resolution of compact sources in interferometric observations
Abstract
We review the effects of source size in interferometric observations and focus on the cases of very compact sources. If a source is extremely compact and/or weak (so it is not possible to detect signature of source structure in the visibilities) we describe a test of hypothesis that can be used to set a strong upper limit to the size of the source. We also estimate the minimum possible size of a source whose structure can still be detected by an interferometer (i.e., the maximum theoretical over-resolution power of an interferometer), which depends on the overall observing time, the compactness in the array distribution, and the sensitivity of the receivers. As a result, and depending on the observing frequency, the over-resolution power of forthcoming ultra-sensitive arrays, like the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), may allow us to study details of sources at angular scales down to a few micro-as.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1203.2071,
title = {Over-resolution of compact sources in interferometric observations},
author = {I. Marti-Vidal and M. A. Perez-Torres and A. P. Lobanov},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1203.2071},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
Research Note. 2 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A