Filling the uv-gaps of the current VLBI network in Africa

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the potential scientific, economic, and skills transfer benefits of filling coverage gaps in the African VLBI network by adding new or converted antennas in central African countries.

Contribution

It proposes the addition of antennas in central Africa to enhance VLBI coverage and discusses the scientific, economic, and skills transfer impacts of this expansion.

Findings

Improved VLBI coverage in central Africa could significantly enhance scientific research.

Conversion of telecommunication facilities to radio telescopes is a feasible option.

The expansion could foster economic growth and skills development in the region.

Abstract

In the African continent, South Africa has world-class astronomical facilities for advanced radio astronomy research. With the advent of the Square Kilometre Array project in South Africa (SA SKA), six countries in Africa (SA SKA partner countries) have joined South Africa to contribute towards the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Networks (AVN). Each of the AVN countries will soon have a single-dish radio telescope that will be part of the AVN, the European VLBI Network, and the global VLBI network. The SKA and the AVN will enable very high sensitivity VLBI in the southern hemisphere. In the current AVN network, there is a gap in coverage in the central African region. This work analyses the scientific impact if new antennas were to be built or old telecommunication facilities were to be converted to radio telescopes in each of the six countries in central Africa i.e. Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, Central African Republic. The work also discusses some economical and skills transfer impacts of having a radio interferometer in this area of Africa.