Radio Astrophysics Research

The Radio Astrophysics Research Group at NARIT investigates the life cycles of stars and galaxies through both observational and theoretical approaches. In terms of observations, we primarily use radio telescopes, including single-dish and Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) techniques, to address a wide range of research objectives in global collaborations. These observations also serve as the foundation for multi-wavelength studies, particularly in conjunction with optical/infrared facilities, which are crucial in the multi-messenger era.

These efforts have provided a solid foundation for advancing a national flagship project at NARIT, the Thai National Radio Astronomy Observatory (TNRO). This includes the launch of science operations for the 40-meter Thai National Radio Telescope (TNRT) and the 13-meter VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) radio station. The key scientific goals achievable with the 40-meter TNRT, and the potential for future collaborations within the VLBI framework, were outlined in a white paper published on arXiv (astro-ph): Jaroenjittichai, Sugiyama, Kramer, Soonthornthum, et al. (2022, arXiv:2210.04926).

Furthermore, the 2nd Call for Proposals (CfP) for the 40-meter TNRT as Cycle 1 was officially announced on December 17, 2024 (https://indico.narit.or.th/event/218/), thanks to the collaborative efforts of the TNRO project team. These advancements will form a strong foundation for establishing regional VLBI networks over the next five years, including the Thai National VLBI Array (TVA) and the South-East Asia VLBI Network, in collaboration with Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.