Bosscha Observatory Seminar Discussed the Benefits of Joining VLBI Global Observing System

June 03, 2022 - ( update : 30-06-2022 )

By Adi Permana

Editor Adi Permana

BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Prof. Dr. Taufiq Hidayat, DEA from the ITB Astronomy Research Group explained the concept of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and its application in the field of astronomy and geodesy. According to him, currently, most of the VLBI stations are located in the northern hemisphere and only a few of them are in the equatorial area.

This presented Indonesia with an opportunity to partake in the VGOS project to fill the lack of VLBI stations in the equatorial area through the Asia-Oceania VLBI Group for Geodesy and Astrometry (AOV), a part of the International VLBI Service for Astrometry and Geodesy (IVS) which coordinates the operation of all VLBI stations in the world.

This was conveyed by Prof. Taufiq during his presentation at the Bosscha Observatory seminar on Friday, (20/5/2022). This seminar was held both onsite at the Bosscha Observatory Kerkhoven Guest House and online via Zoom. VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) can be used as the framework for VLBI application and has the potential to help modernize research, especially in the field of geodesy.

He said, not only improving the quality of the collected data, another benefit of joining VGOS is the opportunities to participate in international collaborations and to gain free and unlimited real-time access to the latest data that can be used to improve the accuracy of our research.

However, this development is not without its challenges. Taufiq explained that we would need large resources and multidisciplinary collaborations to be able to operate VGOS in Indonesia, including electricity, internet connection, data management, and human resources. To answer those challenges, ITB has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory – Chinese Academy of Sciences (SHAO-CAS) to build a VGOS connection in Indonesia and to design a plan for the construction of a VGOS telescope at the Bosscha Observatory ITB.

Moreover, Bosscha Observatory will also cooperate with the School of Electrical Engineering and Informatics (SEEI) ITB and the Ministry of Communication and Information to fulfill the technical requirements for the whole project.

Taufiq is optimistic that this facility will be very beneficial for the development of astronomy, geodesy, data science, telecommunication, software engineering, and other fields in Indonesia. "VGOS is very important for capacity building in the field of science and technology," said Taufiq in his closing statement.

Reporter: Nathan Aristiphano (SITH-S, 2022)
Translator: Favian Aldilla R (Civil Engineering, 2019)