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

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