How do Massive Stars form?

Interview Transcript:  Lincoln Greenhill
Topic:  The VLBA Twist

The day-to-day operation of the VLBA observatory involves a twist. To make the images, astronomers must combine - in one place - huge volumes of data (trillions of bits) gathered at each radio dish. That happens at the Domenici Science Operations Center in Socorro, New Mexico, using a correlator, the specialized super-computer at the heart of the VLBA. But how is the correlator fed? By mail. Data are recorded on 100's of computer disks at each antenna and shipped. Someday, fiber optic cables may be used instead, but for now, regular mail is still the most efficient way to go. Thus, the VLBA combines new and old technology to form the largest telescope on the planet.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (NSF AST 0507478). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.