Studying Black Holes on Horizon Scales with VLBI Ground Arrays

TL;DR

This paper discusses advancements in VLBI techniques and instrumentation to improve high-resolution imaging of supermassive black holes, aiming to observe dynamic processes near the event horizon in near real time.

Contribution

It proposes adding new VLBI stations and developing next-generation instrumentation to enhance imaging sensitivity and resolution for studying black hole environments.

Findings

Enhanced imaging fidelity with new VLBI stations.

Improved angular resolution for horizon-scale observations.

Potential to capture dynamic accretion and jet processes.

Abstract

High-resolution imaging of supermassive black holes is now possible, with new applications to testing general relativity and horizon-scale accretion and relativistic jet formation processes. Over the coming decade, the EHT will propose to add new strategically placed VLBI elements operating at 1.3mm and 0.87mm wavelength. In parallel, development of next-generation backend instrumentation, coupled with high throughput correlation architectures, will boost sensitivity, allowing the new stations to be of modest collecting area while still improving imaging fidelity and angular resolution. The goal of these efforts is to move from imaging static horizon scale structure to dynamic reconstructions that capture the processes of accretion and jet launching in near real time.