About project IVARS

Funder: Latvian Science Council, Fundamental and Applied Research Projects

Project submitter: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS)

Project scientific supervisor: VUAS leading guest researcher Ross Alexander Burns

Duration: 01.01.2023. – 31.12.2025. (36 months, 3 reference periods)

Brief Qualitative Description and Aim of the Project:

The use of single-baseline interferometers has been known in astronomy since the 1940s. However demand for the observing technique was quickly overtaken by interferometers comprising large numbers of radio telescopes. As demand for aperture synthesis arrays rose the time shared to each observing program became more limited. Today the field of radio astronomy has seen a resurgence in 'transient' science, where more and more astronomical phenomena are found to be active at months, weeks and even intra-day timescales. For example high-mass stars form in short, intense bursts of accretion that exhibit active variations on day timescales. The recent focus on transient science has renewed the demand for facilities capable of high-cadence monitoring of the brightness variations of radio emission, in which the now uncommon single-baseline radio interferometer is well suited. The project goal is development of the Irbene single-baseline interferometer (ISBI), capable of uncovering the variations of radio emission associated with high-mass star forming regions. The developed ISBI will be used for monitoring the radio continuum emission and maser emission from high-mass protostars. This will foster a distinction between currently untested and competing theoretical scenarios proposed to explain the enigmatic variability recently found to be associated with the formation of high-mass stars.

Project tasks:

• To enhance the current capabilities at Ventspils radio observatory by advancing the use of the two radio telescopes (32m and 16m diameters) as an interferometer. 
• Refining and automating astronomical observations and processes involved in the acquisition and analyses of astronomical data. 
• Establish a list of ~30 high-mass protostar targets for which radio signals will be monitored for emission in the 6.7 GHz methanol maser and radio C-band continuum, simultaneously. 
• Interpret astronomical data by the project team members, who are investigating the growth process of high-mass stars. To understand the birth process of massive stars.
• Arranging public lectures, outreach events, scientific conferences and publications in leading astronomy journals.

Project results:

The expected results will address unsolved questions about the formation process of high-mass stars. Additionally we aim to deepen understanding of the jet launching process which is thought to follow the bursts of growth by which high-mass stars gain mass. The time-domain investigation of these two processes will require high-cadence observations with an interferometric system. Such a combination of flexibility and functionality is not easily achieved by radio astronomical facilities in modern times. This opportunity gives the Irbene interferometer a unique advantage in the investigation of short-duration variable astrophysical processes.

Scientific Results:

• Addressing questions of the massive star accretion processes, and investigating the formation of jets which are launched after growth bursts. These processes are investigated by observing radiation intensity changes.
• Automation of radio interferometric astronomical observations and data processing.
• Streamlining operation of single baseline interferometer data and combination with single-dish radio telescope spectral monitoring.
• Finding technical solutions to data handling and pipeline for single baseline interferometer.
• Obtaining data of ~30 massive stars during growth stages, and monitoring radio emission of jets after bursts of growth. 

Impact to society:

• The promotion of STEM and enhancing interest in astronomy and radio systems. 
• Development of technologies relevant to radio interferometry and other scientific research. 
• Deepening knowledge of the Universe. 
• Promotion of Irbene as a globally recognised astronomical facility.

Our project will deliver: 

• 4 Scientific publications.
• 5 Contributions at conferences.
• 3 Press releases.
• 4 Outreach events. 

Project funding: 300 000.00 EUR

Contacts:

Project scientific head – PhD Ross Alexander Burns, rossburns88@googlemail.com

Project leading researcher - PhD Ivars Šmelds, ivars.smelds@venta.lv

Project coordinators for administrative matters - Ieva Kozlova, ieva.kozlova@venta.lv

Project logo designed by Katrīna Doniņa