Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) is a technique in radio astronomy that combines cosmic electromagnetic waves received from individual radio telescopes, distributed throughout the planet, to obtain unprecedented details of celestial bodies. With VLBI, a virtual radio telescope is synthesized with the angular resolution of an instrument the size equivalent to the distance between radio telescopes. VLBI collaborations are primarily international; Examples are the European Network (EVN), the North American Network (VLBA), or the East Asian Network (EAVN).
The IBEROAMERICANA VLBI INITIATIVE (IVIA) involves collaborative work to incorporate researchers, technologists and institutions in Latin America, Portugal and Spain, to the developments and studies in VLBI. For this, the conversion of telecommunications antennas into radio telescopes is contemplated, together with their commissioning for VLBI observations. With the pooling of resources from the participating institutions, a critical mass is reached to maximize the use of resources and infrastructure in each participating country.
The main objective of IVIA is to create an international and collaborative project that serves as an attractor of talent and resources, to positively impact human development in the region, with the support of the existing VLBI networks.
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