Project name: Research of Galactic Masers

Project No.: lzp-2018/1-0292

Project Acronym: GMP

Accounting Acronym: z-I.Š.

Funded by: Grant of the Latvian Council of Science

Project Submitter: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Engineering Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VUAS IE VIRAC)

Project Scientific Supervisor: VUAS IE VIRAC Leading Researcher Ivars Šmelds

Duration: 1/9/2018–31/8/2021 (36 months, 3 reference periods)

Project financing: EUR 300,000.00 

Brief Qualitative Description and Aim of the Project:
In modern astrophysics, cosmic masers are considered an indicator of the processes that take place in star-forming regions. We propose to make observations of galactic CH3OH and excited OH (ex-OH) space masers in the 6 GHz wave range using the 32 m radio telescope of Ventspils University of Applied Science Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VUAS VIRAC). One of the main tasks of the Project is to search for and study galactic excited OH masers in the Northern Hemisphere of the starry sky, where Class II methanol maser radiation is observed, to study the magnetic fields in their areas of origin and these areas themselves. The second task is to improve the quality of radio astronomical observations made with VUAS VIRAC radio telescopes, thus providing a reliable basis for future observation of weak space objects. The results will be used to further elucidate the properties of the interstellar environment, especially in star-forming areas. New data processing software and technical solutions using directional diagrams and frequency modulation will be developed to improve the sensitivity of the telescope and to enable it to record weak signals from maser radio sources and to process the large data streams they produce. The results of the project, which are aimed at elucidating the nature of the interstellar environment, will directly affect the priority branch of Latvian science – physics and astronomy. In turn, the software and technical solutions developed during the project implementation will be able to be used wherever there will be poor signal reception and processing of large amounts of data produced by the radio telescope, thus strengthening Latvia’s priority scientific direction ‘Technologies, Materials and Engineering Systems for Value-Added Products and Processes and Cyber Security’.

Keywords: Galactic Masers, Observations, Software and Equipment Development.

Contact Information:
Project Scientific Supervisor – Ivars Šmelds, ivarss@venta.lv

Project Coordinator for Research Matters – Vladislavs Bezrukovs, vladislavsb@venta.lv
Project Manager for Administrative Matters – Ieva Rozenberga, ieva.rozenberga@venta.lv