In this paper ongoing software projects among the European radio astronomy observatories are reviewed. In particular, I report on the progress in the ALBUS project which aims to enhance the data products, as well as the tools for radio astronomy data processing. In particular the capabilities of ParselTongue will be discussed. This is a programmable Python interface to classic AIPS that is now publicly available. The options for work on future data reduction packages will be discussed as well. A new effort is the FABRIC project which is part of the ECfunded collaboration EXPReS. This prepares for the next generation of e-VLBI and includes a pilot project on distributed correlation, implementing the correlation in software on standard computing environments, employing the Grid.
No abstract
With the exceptional progress e-VLBI has achieved over the last three years, the VLBI of the future has already started. At least for the EVN, it is argued that at some point all VLBI operations should be done in e-VLBI mode. This ambition is based on the scientific case that is described in the EVN2015 science vision. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the long-term future of radio astronomy is connected to the development of the SKA. The consensus in the community is that there is a scientific case for Very Long Baseline Interferometry in the next decade, and synergy with the technology development for the SKA and its pathfinders should be explored to enhance the VLBI capabilities. It is noteworthy that e-VLBI has been recognised as a SKA pathfinder. Here, I review the progress with e-VLBI, and the options to enhance the sensitivity and operational efficiency of the EVN and global VLBI arrays, including the options for future correlators. In the coming years, through the new NEXPReS effort, new ways are about to get introduced to enhance e-VLBI operations further to the level that all experiments can benefit from an e-VLBI component.
Almost two decades after the establishment of the Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE), the European VLBI Network is a thriving scientific infrastructure with a significant user community and a healthy proposal pressure. It offers opportunities to address a breadth of important scientific topics, which feature in national and European astronomy roadmaps. Most of these science themes call for further enhancements of the sensitivity and image quality delivered by VLBI networks. The exceptional progress of e-VLBI over the last five years demonstrates how sensitive VLBI should be done in the future. At the same time JIVE is pushing the technology for large capacity correlators that can connect VLBI networks with many elements in real-time. Indeed, many new initiatives to build or outfit telescopes for VLBI are emerging from around the world. The technological VLBI developments have a great synergy with the SKA preparations. This is recognized in the SKA pathfinder role that e-VLBI has in the European VLBI Network for exploring connectivity and real-time science techniques. Moreover, VLBI with its locally visible elements offers great possibilities for training and outreach. With the new scientific capabilities, especially those complementary to other SKA pathfinders, VLBI will be a flourishing scientific instrument for the future.Resolving the Sky -Radio Interferometry: Past, Present and Future
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