RadioNet organized and fostered activities on all aspects of the infrastructures: access, development, training, dissemination and sustainability. The activities combined and enhanced the expertise of European scientists and technicians at the forefront of research and development.
In total, RadioNet offered free-of-charge access to 1900 users performing a total of 359 scientific projects and receiving 7600 observing hours (180% above contract). The TA projects addressed current topics (supermassive black holes, gravitational waves, Fast Radio Bursts). The first results have been published in already 52 peer-review papers.
The Dissemination activity broadcasted the scientific highlights and the technological developments in the context of the RadioNet infrastructures, while promoting RadioNet and its activities. The organization of scientific and technical events was supported. Over 3300 scientists (30% female) promoted their scientific discoveries at 43 events. A total of 13 technical events hosted more than 1500 engineers and technicians from Europe and beyond. These events focussed on project developments, collaboration with industry, and transfer of knowledge.
We addressed the technical needs of individual research institutes and closed the knowledge gap, by supporting a staff exchange across the community. There were 19 world-wide staff visits to 9 RadioNet partners that focussed on hardware and software development. Important steps were made in the standardization for operations and equipment of the European VLBI Network (EVN) and the Global mm VLBI Array (GMVA). Significant developments toward higher data recording rates (from 1 to 4 Gbps, 32 Gbps is envisaged) and e-shipping of data have resulted in higher sensitivity and lower operational costs.
The Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies-CRAF addressed the protection of the radio frequencies for scientific use at international spectrum management meetings.
Education of the future generation was one of the key missions of a dedicated Training activity. For example, the European Radio Interferometry Schools (ERIS) had hands-on sessions to take newcomers through all aspects of the radio interferometry. Also, the annual Young European Radio Astronomers Conference (YERAC) provided students with early opportunities for interactions and networking with peers. We developed a guide for YERAC and ERIS to ensure their organisation in the future. Additionally, users were supported to reduce data at one of the European ALMA Regional Centres.
Three Technical Activities made our infrastructures more efficient and reliable. AETHRA developed state-of-the-art technologies for the mm/submm regime. Decisive steps were made in designing key elements of receivers and integrating them into high-performance focal plane arrays. BRAND-EVN responded to the critical demand for novel ultra-broad-band receiver frontend and backend systems for radio astronomy at cm wavelengths. RINGS delivered advanced calibration algorithms for radio astronomy facilities, which are characterised by a high-sensitivity, a large bandwidth and long interferometric baselines. The results were disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, training schools, and interaction with industry.
The Sustainability activity secured the long-term perspectives of European radio astronomy through re-defining the RadioNet collaboration. As part of this process, letters of intent were received from 20 of the partners.
