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Murata, Yasuhiro

Publications and source records attributed to Murata, Yasuhiro.

The Two-sided Jet Structures of NGC 1052 at Scales from 300 to 4 × 10{sup 7} Schwarzschild Radii

We investigated the jet width profile with distance along the jet in the nearby radio galaxy NGC 1052 at radial distances between ∼300 and 4 × 10{sup 7} Schwarzschild radii (R {sub S}) from the central engine on both their approaching and receding jet sides. The width of jets was measured in images obtained with the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Space Observatory Programme, the Very Long Baseline Array, and the Very Large Array. The jet width profiles of receding jets are apparently consistent with those of approaching jets throughout the measuring distance ranges, indicating symmetry at least up to the sphere of gravitational influence of the central black hole. The power-law index a of the jet width profile (w {sub jet} ∝ r {sup a}, where w {sub jet} is the jet width, r is the distance from the central engine in the unit of R {sub S}) apparently shows a transition from a ∼ 0 to a ∼ 1, i.e., the cylindrical-to-conical jet structures, at a distance of ∼1 × 10{sup 4} R {sub S}. The cylindrical jet shape at small distances is reminiscent of the innermost jets in 3C 84. Both the central engines of NGC 1052 and 3C 84 are surrounded by dense material, part of which is ionized and causes heavy free–free absorption.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The VSOP-2 Space VLBI Mission

Following the success of the VLBI Space Observatory Program (VSOP), a next generation space VLBI mission, VSOP-2, is currently being planned. Higher observing frequencies, cooled receivers, increased bandwidths and larger telescope diameters will result in gains in resolution and interferometer sensitivity by factors of 10 over the VSOP mission. The use of phase-referencing by fast switching between a calibrator source and the target source is now being studied as this technique allows sources 50-150 times weaker to be observed depending on the frequency band. Such a capability would greatly enhance the VSOP-2 mission. Several other enhancements to the VSOP-2 mission are also presently under investigation including the VSOP-2 spacecraft operating at the same time as a US spacecraft to form what has come to be known as the iARISE (international ARISE) mission.

Hirabayashi, Hisashi↗

Wide-Band Data Transmission System Expected in the Next Generation Space VLBI Mission: VSOP-2

Following the success of the VLBI Space Observatory Program (VSOP), a next generation space VLBI mission (VSOP-2) is currently being planned. We expect the data rate of more than 1 Gbps to get more sensitivity. Here we will present: (1) How to sample the data (on board), including the radiation test results which show we can have the 10 Gbps sampler LSI which can use in space; (2) Possibility of the bit rate more than 1 Gbps to downlink the VLBI data. We studied the link budget for the wide band data transmission, and discussed the various ideas which can get more than 1 Gbps; and (3) What kind of VLBI tracking station and recording system will be expected for the VSOP-2 mission? We will present the idea of using normal radio telescopes as a tracking station, and also review the possibility of recording and processing at the tracking stations and correlators.

Murata, Yasuhiro↗