We present results from a large 86 GHz global VLBI survey of compact radio sources. The main goal of the survey is to increase by factors of 3-5 the total number of objects accessible for future 3-mm VLBI imaging. The survey observations reach the baseline sensitivity of 0.1 Jy and image sensitivity of better than 10 mJy/beam. The total of 127 compact radio sources have been observed. The observations have yielded images for 109 sources, extending the database of the sources imaged at 86 GHz with VLBI observation by a factor of 5, and only 6 sources have not been detected. The remaining 12 objects have been detected but could not be imaged due to insufficient closure phase information. Radio galaxies are less compact than quasars and BL Lacs on submilliarcsecond scale. Flux densities and sizes of core and jet components of all imaged sources have been estimated using Gaussian model fitting. From these measurements, brightness temperatures have been calculated, taking into account resolution limits of the data. The cores of 70% of the imaged sources are resolved. The core brightness temperatures of the sources peak at ∼ 10 11 K and only 1% have brightness temperatures higher than 10 12 K. Cores of Intraday Variable (IDV) sources are smaller in angular size than non-IDV sources, and so yield higher brightness temperatures.Every source in the sample was observed for 3-4 scans of 7-minute duration (snapshot mode). Although the uv-coverage of such an experiment limits the dynamic range and structural sensitivity of images, the large number of the participating antennas gives a sufficient uv-coverage of the sources at low and high declinations ( Figure 2). The data were recorded either with 128-MHz or 64-MHz bandwidth using the MkIV VLBI system with 1-and 2-bit sampling adopted at different epochs.The observations were made in lefthand circular polarization (LCP). Three to four scans per hour were recorded, using the time between the scans for antenna focusing, pointing and calibration. The data were correlated using the MkIV correlator of the Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie (MPIfR) in Bonn (Alef & Müskens 2001). Data ProcessingIn this section, we describe the post-correlation processing of the 3 mm-VLBI survey datasets. Fringes were searched in two steps using HOPS (Haystack Observatory Postprocessing System) and AIPS (The NRAO Astronomical Image Processing System). In the first step, the HOPS task fourfit was used to precisely determine phase-residuals. The first fourfit was run with a wide search window (e.g. a width of 1 µsec for singleband delay, 2 µsec for multiband delay and 500 psec sec −1 for delay rate) centered at zero in delay. Since the fourfit produces baseline-based fringe solutions, the mean and standard deviation of the detected fringe solutions on each baseline were estimated and served as the offset and width of the search window for the second fourfit. The detected fringe solutions from the second run were used to interpolate the offset of the singleband delay for nondetected scans. In the f...

Aims. The prime motivation of this project was to design and build a state-of-art mm-wave heterodyne receiver system to enhance the observing throughput of the IRAM 30-m radiotelescope. More specifically, the requirements were i) state-of-art noise performance for spectroscopic observations; ii) simultaneous dual polarization and dual-frequency observing; iii) coverage of the atmospheric transmission windows from 83 to 360 GHz; iv) compact footprint and minimal maintenance. Methods. Key elements for low noise performance of heterodyne mixers are the superconducting Niobium junctions, operating at 4 K. These junctions are embedded in carefully designed coupling structures; furthermore, since atmospheric radiation is a significant contributor to the system noise budget, all mixers are either sideband separating or sideband rejecting. To achieve low noise, it is also essential to maximize the coupling of the receiver to the astronomical source, and to minimize the coupling to thermal radiation from the ground-based environment; this is achieved through mirror optics that realize a wavelength-independent coupling to the telescope. A flexible configuration of mirrors and frequency selective surfaces permits various combinations of frequency bands, as well as dual-load radiometric calibration. Low noise intermediate frequency amplifiers and bias electronics also play an important role in the system performance. Results. The EMIR receiver in operation at the 30 m telescope offers four frequency bands: B1: 83−117 GHz, B2: 129−174 GHz, B3: 200−267 GHz, and B4: 260−360 GHz. In each band, the two orthogonal polarizations are observed simultaneously. Dual-band combinations B1/2 B1/3, and B2/4 are available. Bands 1 and 4 (also 3 as of Nov.-2011) feature sideband separation. In dual-band configuration, including sideband separation and polarization diplexing, up to eight IF channels are delivered to the spectrometers, totaling up to 64 GHz of signal bandwidth (of which 32 GHz can be transported and processed by spectrometers, status Nov.-2011). The EMIR receiver has been in continuous operation for more than two years and has allowed, through a qualitative jump in performance, observations not possible before, as shown by a few selected examples of astronomical results.

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Abstract. We describe the technical concept, properties, and performance of HERA (HEterodyne Receiver Array) at the IRAM 30 m telescope. HERA is a multibeam, waveguide SIS receiver that greatly improves mapping speed in various observing modes and also provides possibilities for new high-sensitivity observing of small sources. Future extensions with a second polarization module will permit spectro-polarimetry. We present some examples of astronomical maps with HERA.

Abstract. We have used MERLIN, at 1.4 and 5 GHz, to search for radio supernovae (RSNe) and supernova remnants (SNRs) in the unobscured irregular dwarf galaxy NGC 1569, and in particular in the region of its super star clusters (SSCs) A and B. Throughout NGC 1569 we find some 5 RSNe and SNRs but the SSCs and their immediate surroundings are largely devoid of non-thermal radio sources. Even though many massive stars in the SSCs are expected to have exploded already, when compared with M 82 and its many SSCs the absence of RSNe and SNRs in and near A and B may seem plausible on statistical arguments. The absence of RSNe and SNRs in and near A and B may, however, also be due to a violent and turbulent outflow of stellar winds and supernova ejected material, which does not provide a quiescent environment for the development of SNRs within and near the SSCs.

Abstract. Total power scans across the Moon around New Moon (mostly day time) and Full Moon (night time) at 3.4 mm (88 GHz), 2.0 mm (150 GHz), 1.3 mm (230 GHz), and 0.86 mm (350 GHz) wavelength are used to derive the beam pattern of the IRAM 30-m telescope to a level of approximately −30 dB (0.1%) and, dependent on wavelength, to a full width of 1000 − 1400 . From the reflector surface construction and application of the antenna tolerance theory we find that the measurable beam consists of the diffracted beam, two underlying error beams which can be explained from the panel dimensions, and a beam deformation mostly due to large-scale transient residual thermal deformations of the telescope structure. In view of the multiple beam structure of the 30-m telescope, and of other telescopes with a similar reflector construction of (mini-)panels and panel frames, we summarize the antenna tolerance theory for the influence of several independent surface/wavefront deformations. This theory makes use of different correlation lengths, which in essence determine the independent error distributions, and of the wavelength-scaling of the diffracted beam and of the error beams.From the Moon scans we derive the parameters for calculation of the 30-m telescope beam in the wavelength range 3 mm to 0.8 mm as required for the reduction of astronomical observations, in particular of extended sources. The parameters of the beam are primarily for the time after July 1997 when the reflector was re-adjusted and improved to the illumination weighted surface precision of σ T = 0.065 − 0.075 mm.In the Appendix we explain the choice for this analysis of scans taken around New Moon and Full Moon.

The ALMA North American and European prototype antennas have been evaluated by a variety of measurement systems to quantify the major performance specifications. Nearfield holography was used to set the reflector surfaces to 17 µm RMS. Pointing and fast switching performance was determined with an optical telescope and by millimeter wavelength radiometry, yielding 2 ′′ absolute and 0.6 ′′ offset pointing accuracies. Path length stability was measured to be 20 µm over 10 minute time periods using optical measurement devices. Dynamical performance was studied with a set of accelerometers, providing data on wind induced tracking errors and structural deformation. Considering all measurements made during this evaluation, both prototype antennas meet the major ALMA antenna performance specifications.

We present mm-wavelength and optical observations of the starburst region in NGC 2146. This region of ∼4 kpc diameter contains a well-ordered distribution of stars, gas, and dust, and a well-ordered rotation. The possible anomalies found in our observation are a warped CO distribution and an increase in the CO line width at the NW edge of the starburst region. The investigation of a possible encounter or merger origin of the starburst may therefore have to concentrate on the distorted outer structure of the galaxy. There are three large-scale features of ∼20 kpc extent, two of which give the impression of being stellar sub-systems. The third feature is an incomplete and expanding ring of H ii regions and stars, apparently indicating an event that occurred some 300 Myr ago.