Dr Alan Roy (Geodätisches Institut, Universität Bonn & Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie)

Radio Recombination Lines from Starburst Galaxies, and Water-Vapour Radiometry at Effelsberg - Dr Alan Roy Colloquium

ATNF Marsfield Lecture Theatre

Abstract

A renewed attempt to detect radio recombination
lines from external galaxies has resulted in the measurement of lines
from several bright starburst galaxies. The lines are produced by
hydrogen ionized by young, high-mass stars and are diagnostic of the
conditions and gas dynamics in the starburst regions without problems
of dust obscuration. I will present some results on NGC 3256, NGC
4945, and the Circinus galaxy based on ATCA and VLA observations.

Water-Vapour Radiometry: A new 22 GHz WVR was installed during 2003
at the Effelsberg 100 m telescope, for tropospheric phase and opacity
correction during high-frequency VLBI observations. I will describe
the radiometer and show its performance.