# Wide-field VLBI Imaging

## 1 Introduction

The undistorted field of view of a given VLBI data set is usually limited by two main effects: bandwidth smearing and time-average smearing (Bridle & Schwab,, 1989). The narrower the individual frequency channels and the smaller the integration time, the larger the unaberrated field of view. Data generated by VLBI correlators are comprised of a set of measurements of the complex visibility as a function of frequency (or delay) and time. Most continuum VLBI data sets are delivered to the astronomer with relatively narrow frequency channels ($`0.5`$ MHz) and short integration times ($`2`$ secs). For example, a typical $`\lambda 18`$ cm EVN data set, in its original form, boasts a field-of-view, $`\theta _{fov}`$, in excess of $`\frac{1}{2}`$ arcminute. The same EVN data set, having for example being averaged in frequency over $`64`$ MHz, has a field-of-view of $`300`$ milliarcseconds (mas). This reduction in the field-of-view by a factor in excess of two orders of magnitude is often considered to be unimportant. The aim of this paper is to show, by illustration, that this presumption may no longer be valid.

## 2 New Developments in Wide-Field VLBI Imaging

In the early 1980s, the off-line computer resources available to most astronomers were ill-equipped to deal with extremely large and cumbersome VLBI data sets. Not surprisingly, one of the major goals of VLBI data reduction was to severely average continuum data at the earliest possible stage in the analysis process (as soon as fringe-fitting corrections had been applied). Today, the processing power and data storage volumes enjoyed by the vast majority of VLBI astronomers is $`2`$ orders of magnitude greater than the shared systems used previously. Nevertheless, the custom of excessive data averaging continues. This practice severely limits the natural field of view of VLBI images, and is often inappropriate - especially in the era of high sensitivity observations.

### 2.1 Detection of hot-spots in Large-scale Jets

In Fig. 1 we present a $`\lambda =18`$ cm EVN-only map of the gravitational lens, 0957+561 A,B. The data were calibrated in the usual manner. To avoid bandwidth smearing, the data were held in the form of 28 independent but contiguous 2 MHz channels. The data were averaged in time in a baseline dependent manner with integration times ranging from 2.5 seconds (on the longest projected baselines) to 30 seconds (on the shortest projected baselines). Fig. 1 clearly shows the two main, compact components, 0957+561 A,B and a very faint compact source known as G, lying about 1 arcsec to the north of B. All three components have been detected by previous VLBI campaigns. However, the real excitement relates to the fact that we have detected and imaged two low brightness temperature features ($`T_b10^610^7`$ K), that are associated with compact regions or hot-spots in the singly imaged arc-second scale jet that dominates VLA maps of this source. There must be many more cases where similar low surface brightness emission goes undetected, simply because a wide-field approach to the data analysis is not pursued. VLBI observations of such emission could improve our understanding of large-scale jet physics, distinguishing between various hot-spot models and allowing a comparison between the properties of the jet (e.g. flow velocity) and the intergalactic medium on pc and kpc scales.

### 2.2 Imaging Faint SNR in the Starburst Galaxy M82

A wide-field approach has also been applied by Pedlar et al., (1999) to $`\lambda 18`$ cm EVN observations of the starburst galaxy M82. Previous VLBI observations had focussed on the brightest SNR (41.95+575), but by following a wide-field approach to the data analysis Pedlar et al., (1999) have been able to generate exquisite images of 4 other compact SNR in the field, of which the faintest has a peak flux of $`0.4`$ mJy/beam. A sub-section of the entire 1 arcminute field is shown in Fig. 2. Pedlar et al., (1999) have also re-analysed “vintage” EVN data of M82 from epoch 1986. By employing a wide-field approach to the re-analysis they have been able to measure expansion rates for one of the SNR and place upper-limits on two others. This work is a superb example of the type of information “gain” one can easily acquire through the general application of wide-field techniques to VLBI data.

### 2.3 Going Deeper into a Crowded Sky

The advances in VLBI hardware described elsewhere in this volume suggest that for a Global VLBI array r.m.s. noise levels of $`10\mu `$Jy/beam will be attainable by the end of the millennium. Looking further ahead (10-15 years) there is every reason to believe that $`1\mu `$Jy/beam noise levels will be achievable. At this level of sensitivity, the radio sky becomes a very crowded place. At the $`\mu `$Jy level one may expect to encounter 1 source every few arcseconds (see Muxlow et al., (1999)). We can expect to reach these levels of sensitivity within the next 10-20 years, by which time wide-field VLBI imaging may have evolved into a standard VLBI processing route in order to avoid source confusion. Even at the level of a few mJy a wide-field approach may pay dividends. Garrington et al., (1999) have embarked on a survey of faint mJy sources located within a few degrees of a bright, compact radio source, 1156+295. Two of the faint sources surveyed are separated by only a few arcminutes on the sky. Even although the observations had not been set up with wide-field imaging specifically in mind, it was still possible to produce tapered images of both sources simultaneously from a single $`\lambda 6`$ cm global VLBI data set (see Fig. 3). We note that this wide-field approach permits a very direct measurement of the relative astrometric positions of radio sources in the same undistorted field of view.

## 3 Current Limitations

Currently the main limits on wide-field imaging are set by the maximum data rate that can be generated by VLBI correlators. In other words, the limitation is exactly the reverse of the situation in the early 1980’s, where the bottleneck was associated with off-line data processing facilities. Another restriction is the size of the primary beam of the larger VLBI antennas, especially phased arrays (e.g. WSRT & VLA<sub>27</sub>). In this case at least, “small is beautiful”. This latter point should be borne in mind when the next generation of large telescope arrays are being designed (e.g. SKA), especially with regard to their possible incorporation within existing VLBI networks.