VLBA15B-162
Measuring the proper motions of M81 and M82
Abstract
One of the best targets to study galaxy interactions and evolution is the M81 group of galaxies. The presence of compact radio sources in M81 (nucleus) and M82 (water masers) offer the unique oppertunity to measure the relative motions between the two galaxies. Furthermore, by including background continuum sources, we can measure the transversal motions of the two galaxies relative to the Milky Way. After successful observations in 2007, 2008, and 2009 we propose for additional three epochs over the next three years. By extending our time base from 2 to 10 years, we will improve our accuracy by a factor of at least 6. This project will provide a measure of three dimensional relative motions for targets outside the
Local Group and is hence a necessary next step towards a better kinematic
model of the Local Volume.
Investigators
| Name | Institution |
|---|---|
| Karl Menten | Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie |
| Lorant Sjouwerman | National Radio Astronomy Observatory |
| Jeremy Darling | Colorado at Boulder, University of |
| Heino Falcke | Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy; Nijmegen, Radboud Universiteit |
| Mark Reid | Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian |
| Geoffrey Bower | Academia Sinica |
| Tom Oosterloo | Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy |
| Andrea Tarchi | Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica |
| Chris Henkel | Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie |
| Naftali Kimani | Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie |
| Andreas Brunthaler * | Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie |
| vlbaops vlbaops | National Radio Astronomy Observatory |
| vlbiobs vlbiobs | National Radio Astronomy Observatory |
| GBT Operator | Green Bank Observatory |
| GBT Operator | Green Bank Observatory |
* indicates the PI