Docent lecture Eskil Varenius

Title: 

Radio interferometry for astronomy and geodesy

Abstract: 

Radio interferometry is a technique with a long and fruitful history in astronomy and geodesy. In astronomy, we can obtain super-sharp images of many exciting phenomena, such as supernovae and black holes. These are extreme environments where we can study physics which cannot be experienced in laboratories on Earth. In geodesy, we can measure how the Earth moves and wobbles through space with very high accuracy. Precise knowledge of the Earth as a moving system is crucial for modern society, for example in satellite navigation applications. For many decades, Onsala Space Observatory has been a key participant in a large number of international collaborations using interferometry for astronomy and geodesy. In this talk I aim to explain the basics of radio interferometry, present example results from astronomy and geodesy, and discuss some current limitations and future improvements.