e-MERLIN

🌍 Website: http://www.e-merlin.ac.uk/

The e-MERLIN/VLBI National Facility is the UK's facility for high resolution radio astronomy observations. It is operated by The University of Manchester on behalf of the Science and Technology Facilities Council. e-MERLIN is an SKA pathfinder instrument comprising of an array of seven radio telescopes, spanning 217km, connected by an optical fibre network to Jodrell Bank Observatory. e-MERLIN provides sub-arcsecond radio imaging and spectroscopic capabilities with microJy sensitivities.

e-MERLIN will address a broad range of scientific questions but its unique combination of angular resolution and sensitivity will be crucial for understanding:

1. The history of star-formation and black hole growth as galaxies evolve
2. The physical processes which govern the formation of stars
3. The modes of activity in nearby galaxies
4. The energetic processes in relativistic outflows from jets generated by black holes and compact objects