A new technique consisting of joining radio telescopes from around the world , separated by more than 12,000 kilometers from each other and working together, focusing simultaneously on the same source, simulating a single gigantic telescope , has made it possible to obtain high-resolution images of distant galaxies.
This technique, called electronic very long baseline interferometry (Electronic Very Long Baseline Interferometry or e-VLBI), provides high – resolution images and a much greater degree of detail. In addition, it allows astronomers to receive and process data in near real time and make costs much more profitable, since the telescopes connect directly to a central supercomputer via fiber optics. This will allow a better study of galaxy formation.
The e-VLBI technique, which was previously limited to Europe and is now used worldwide, has recently been used to observe a Seyfert galaxy , where powerful gamma-ray emissions have been discovered that were previously believed to only come from holes. blacks. It is the first time that a galaxy with such high energy levels has been detected, and it could constitute the first example of a new class of cosmic objects.
The two projects that have developed this research, EXPReS and NEXPReS, have been subsidized by the European Union.
