VIRAC - VENTSPILS INTERNATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY CENTRE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC)

MINUTES from the first meeting of VIRAC SAC
Riga, November 11-12, 1996.

VIRAC SAC member organisations:

The Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS),
The Radioastrophysical Observatory (RO) of LAS,
The Riga Technical University (RTU) ,
The University of Latvia,
VIRAC,
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (RSAS),
The Onsala Space Observatory (OSO, Sweden),
KOSMION (Russian Federation).

Meeting participants: 22 persons, including invited ones (see Appendix 1).

I. First Session, November 11

Latvian Academy of Sciences, Meeting room of the Academy Senate AGENDA (main topics)

Appointment of functionaries for the meeting
Round-the table presentation of all participants
VIRAC activities until present
VIRAC activities in the near future (circa 1997)
Studies of astronomy in Latvia
VIRAC and astronomy and astrophysics in Latvia and at the Institutes of the participants

14h11m - Opening of the meeting - J.EKMANIS (vicepresident of the LAS) welcomed the participants and proposed Dr. D.Dravins as the SAC Chairman.

1. Appointment of functionaries for the meeting

VIRAC SAC (up to and including next VIRAC SAC meeting): Chairperson - D.DRAVINS (RSAS); [Scientific] Secretary - J.ZAGARS (University of Latvia).
VIRAC SAC (present meeting): [Meeting] Secretaries - I.KAULINA (VIRAC) and I.PUNDURE (RO of LAS).
Two persons to check the written minutes - K.SALMINS (Univ. of Latvia) and I.SMELDS (RO of LAS).
The Agenda was adopted as proposed (Appendix 2).

2. Round-the table presentation of all participants

All participants presented themselves.
D.DRAVINS read greetings received from Drs. J.Ponsonby (Jodrell Bank Radio Observatory, Manchester, United Kingdom), R.Schilizzi (Joint Institute for European VLBI, The Netherlands), K.Van’t Klooster (European Space Technology Centre, The Netherlands), A.Kus (Torun Radio Astronomy Observatory, Poland), V.Straizys (Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, Vilnius, Lithuania).

3. VIRAC activities until present

(a) E.BERVALDS (VIRAC) - acquainted with the organisation, administration, finances and priorities of VIRAC, also showed a map of the VIRAC territory. (Appendix 3)

(b) G.BALODIS (RTU) - talked about the mirror system of the RT-32 antenna, the dish construction, antenna electromechanics resurrection and restoration of the driving and pointing systems.
D.Dravins, R.Booth, and V.Slysh took part in the ensuing discussion.

(c) G.OZOLINS (VIRAC) - about first astronomical observations (the Sun, Cas A, Cyg A, Tau A, Vir A), and improved determination of RT-32 parameters, about precision of measurements. Two radiometres have been used: the first attempted scientific observations were made during the partial solar eclipse of Oct.12, 1996.
Questions were posed by V.Slysh and R.Booth.

(d) J.ZAGARS - on the Global Positioning System (GPS) in Irbene, on the making future use of the SIGNET system, on the plans of including Irbene in the Baltic Geodynamic Network, in programs of gravitational measurements and on the possibility to receive two absolute gravimetres from Helsinki.
A question was posed by R.Booth.

(e) A.BALKLAVS (RO of LAS) - told about informing the public of organising the VIRAC, and presented the popular science quarterly *Zvaigznota Debess* (*The Starry Sky*), where there regularly have been published news on intensions and efforts by the RO managment in converting the former super- secret Soviet military establishment into an international scientific centre. (Appendix 4)
I.VILKS (Univ. of Latvia) - about amateur astronomy in Latvia, including a summer camp arranged at the VIRAC site in 1995. This school linked amateur and professional astronomers - pupils, students and teachers.
A question was posed by D.Dravins.

(f) R.BOOTH (OSO) - gave his opinion on the VIRAC antennas, based on the previous evaluation visit from Onsala in 1996. He pointed out the immediate need for an adequate pointing and tracking system. Regarding observing programmes, a receiver alone is not sufficient: studies of molecules need a spectrometre; pulsar studies need a time base, while VLBI requires accurate clocks. To protect the antenna surface, people should walk on it only with soft shoes or bare feet. It is important that a significant number of persons actually work at the Irbene site.
An extensive discussion followed.

4. VIRAC activities in the near future (circa 1997)

(a) G.BALODIS - described the plans concerning computer control and tracking system of RT-32. It will be begun next year, to be developed step by step.
J.Zagars, V.Slysh, and R.Booth took part in the ensuing discussion. 16h05m - 16h25m - coffee break

(b) G.OZOLINS - hopes to start observing pulsars, for which a one-channel receiver will be adequate.
A question was posed by D.Dravins.

(c) B.RYABOV (RO of LAS) - told about his many years experience of studying solar radio emission with RATAN-600 in North Caucasus. With RT-32, coronal holes at cm-wavelengths could be studied. If polarimetry becomes available, magnetic fields above active regions could be studied. (Appendix 5)
A question was posed by D.Dravins.

(d) J.ZAGARS - briefly described seven grant applications to various sources. A large number of persons (some 40) have joined applications to the Latvian Science Council for VIRAC-related activities in 1997. (Appendix 6)

(e) E.BERVALDS - presented a report from a Riga Technical University expert group, evaluating the building constructions and infrastructure of RT-32 (Appendix 7).
Comments were made by J.Zagars and R.Booth.

5. Studies of astronomy in Latvia

I.VILKS - spoke on astronomy studies in schools and universities in Latvia. Although e.g. recent textbooks have been published, the work is limited by material conditions. There are five universities where general astronomy courses are given (some 60 students per year). However, only the University of Latvia offers advanced education in astronomy leading to Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor’s degrees. R.Booth, D.Dravins, G.Balodis, and J.Zagars took part in the ensuing discussion.

6. VIRAC-related astronomy and astrophysics at the Institutes of the participants

(a) A.BALKLAVS - about organisation and merging of Latvian institutes. As of Jan.1, 1997, the Radioastrophysical Observatory of the Latvian Academy of Sciences will merge with the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Latvia, to form the Institute of Astronomy, University of Latvia. Offices and a common library are currently being prepared in the University building. (Appendix 8)
A question was posed by D.Dravins.

(b) R.BOOTH - about radio astronomy at Onsala Space Observatory and Chalmers University of Technology.
Questions were posed by J.Zagars and A.Balklavs.

(c) V.SLYSH (Astro Space Center, Lebedev Physical Institute) - about radio astronomy at his Institute; Russian views on the Ventspils antennae, and possibilities of placing some Russian receivers at VIRAC. The main interest is in connection with space interferometry, in particular the RADIOASTRON satellite project.
Questions were posed by E.Bervalds, R.Booth, I.Smelds, and D.Dravins.

(d) T.VIIK (Tartu Observatory) - about astronomy in Estonia, scientific projects, instruments and facilities, personnel, budget (the Tartu Observatory Annual Report 1995 was distributed) .
A question was posed by D.Dravins.

(e) D.DRAVINS - shortly about astronomy at Lund Observatory (Sweden).

18h07m - Closing of first session.

II. S e c o n d Session, November 12

Latvian Academy of Sciences, Meeting room of the Academy AGENDA (main topics)

Possible future scientific programs
Technical requirements and possibilities
Outlook for the more distant future
General conclusions
SAC meeting recommendations: VIRAC priorities for the near future
Possible location and time for the next VIRAC SAC meeting

9h01m - Opening of the session.

1. Possible future scientific programmes

(a) J.ZAGARS - spoke about gravimetry and the Latvian geoid - geophysical work with astronomical tools.
The discussion included D.Dravins, V.Slysh, R.Booth, E.Bervalds, T.Viik, and A.Balklavs.

(b) E.STEINERTS (Univ. of Latvia) - shortly about a project concerning proto-planetary nebulae and stellar evolution (principal investigator L.Zacs (RO of LAS); Appendix 9) .
Comments were made by D.Dravins, V.Slysh, and R.Booth.

(c) I.SMELDS - interstellar molecules (e.g. OH at 18 cm). (Appendix 10)
Comments were made by D.Dravins, V.Slysh, and R.Booth.

(d) J.ZAGARS - shortly commented on programmes in geodesy (the anticipated speaker J.Balodis (Univ. of Latvia) could not attend).

2. Technical requirements and possibilities

(a) M.ABELE (Univ. of Latvia) - spoke about the challenges in computerised pointing and tracking of the RT-32. Recently this group in Riga has implemented such systems for several optical telescopes.
The discussion included D.Dravins, R.Booth, J.Zagars, G.Balodis, and V.Slysh.

(b) G.OZOLINS - about receivers: four receivers (some 4-5 years old) are presently available. These are adequate for antenna evaluation, but not for serious observations. Also, better horn feeds are required.
Questions were posed by D.Dravins, G.Balodis, and R.Booth.
R.BOOTH - one needs a plan, as to which frequencies will first be used. For example, 12 GHz is a commercial satellite TV frequency, close to a radio astronomy methanol band. For this, inexpensive receivers are available, which could be converted. Many European groups are replacing their receivers, and it should be possible to obtain front ends from other institutes.
The discussion included V.Slysh, G.Balodis, D.Dravins, and G.Ozolins.
V.SLYSH - Lebedev Institute is building a series of receivers which might become available upon an agreement. Receivers for OH (1666 MHz) are already available. For VLBI, a hydrogen maser is used as the primary frequency standard.
Questions were posed by D.Dravins and R.Booth.

(c) J.ZAGARS - about data processing. Three personal computers are foreseen. One would be fully committed to telescope control. Next year hopefully there will be an Internet connection from the antenna site, but one does not know, how it will work. Pagers, mobile telephones and other transmission stations might disturb observations: the disturbance level at various frequencies should be examined.
The discussion included D.Dravins, R.Booth, I.Vilks, and V.Slysh.

10h50m - 11h15m - coffee break

3. Outlook for the more distant future

(a) V.SLYSH and R.BOOTH - about VLBI and RADIOASTRON. The hope is that VIRAC will be able to join the international networks for long-baseline interferometry, achieving imaging with submilliarcsecond resolution. Wavelengths around 5 cm could be especially interesting, since the North American networks do not have such wavelengths. However, the cost a VLBI terminal would be substantial (perhaps 100-200 thousand USD).
A question was posed by G.Balodis.

(b) J.ZAGARS - Possible applications for the 16-m antenna might be in receiving geophysical data from remote-sensing satellites; it would need special receivers. The RT-32 remains first priority, however.
Comments were made by V.Slysh, D.Dravins, and R.Booth.

(c) R.BOOTH - top priority is the computerised pointing and tracking system of RT-32, and for young people - to visit other antennae and meet radio astronomers elsewhere. Grants in Sweden already support VIRAC on a level of about 100 thousand SEK per year, and there might exist possibilities for some funding from the European Communities.
J.ZAGARS - spoke about NATO funding for conversion of ex-Soviet military establishments, funds within the European Community, SOROS programmes, and others. Scientific collaboration contacts are already rather well developed, the main remaining problem is the poor physical infrastructure at the antenna site.
The discussion included R.Booth, V.Slysh, and D.Dravins.

4. General conclusions

R.BOOTH - gave a summary and itemised his conclusions:

Pleased to see that the astronomical community is taking a growing interest in VIRAC.
Receivers for e.g. pulsar observations could probably be borrowed from some other institutes. Design for e.g. a spectrometre could probably be obtained also.
One must examine what has, and what has not been done in radio astronomy research elsewhere, e.g. which molecules have or have not been studied. One should aim for unique research.
There should be more enthusiasm for VLBI: it may appear expensive, but it is the way to international collaboration, and funding might be obtained from elsewhere. Only VLBI involves mutual dependence with institutes elsewhere.
Telescope progress is slower than would have been desired. The infrastructure needs urgent attention.
Top priority for the telescope at present: Pointing and tracking .
Study visits to Onsala are recommended for some engineers, to see e.g. the pointing and tracking systems recently implented there.

5. SAC meeting recommendations: VIRAC priorities for the near future

The Chairman formulated, and the VIRAC Scientific Advisory Council unanimously adopted the following recommendations as priorities for the near future:

The highest priority is implementing a pointing and tracking system, with an accuracy goal of approximately 10 arcseconds.
Also of the highest priority is to improve the infrastructure at the antenna site, i.e. to assure acceptable living and working conditions for scientists, engineers and other staff at Irbene.
And, further:
- The RT-32 antenna building: VIRAC SAC recommends to make cost and workload estimates for the various actions suggested by the Riga Technical University study.
- The antenna surface and mechanics: VIRAC SAC invites the Radioastronomy Council of the Russian Academy of Sciences to inquire about the availability of technical documentation on the RT-32 antenna.
- Observing programmes: VIRAC SAC recommends to proceed with the proposed programs for initial single-dish observations, while planning to join VLBI networks in the future.
- Possible radio interference: VIRAC SAC recommends measurements to be made of the radio interference levels at Irbene, at all revelant frequencies.

6. Possible location and time for the next VIRAC SAC meeting

Alternative meeting modes (e.g., a telephone meeting) and locations (e.g., in connection with some other meeting) were discussed. The decision will be made later by the SAC Chairman (in consultation with the SAC Secretary).

13h23m - Close of meeting.

Chairperson: D.Dravins

Secretaries: I.Kaulina, I.Pundure

The minutes checked: K.Salmins, I.Smelds