Very-long-baseline Interferometry - Scientific Results

Scientific Results

Some of the scientific results derived from VLBI include:

• Imaging particle emissions from distant sources. (See quasar, blazar)
• Imaging the surfaces of nearby stars at radio wavelengths (see also interferometry) – similar techniques have also been used to make infrared and optical images of stellar surfaces
• Definition of the celestial reference frame
• Motion of the Earth's tectonic plates
• Regional deformation and local uplift or subsidence.
• Variations in the Earth's orientation and length of day.
• Maintenance of the terrestrial reference frame
• Measurement of gravitational forces of the Sun and Moon on the Earth and the deep structure of the Earth
• Improvement of atmospheric models
• Measurement of the fundamental speed of gravity
• The tracking of the Huygens probe as it passed through Titan's atmosphere, allowing wind velocity measurements