Software and techniques for VLBI data processing and analysis

Abstract

Very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) is a challenging observational technique, which requires in-depth knowledge about radio telescope instrumentation, interferometry, and the handling of noisy data. The reduction of the raw data is mostly left to the scientists and demands the use of complex algorithms implemented in comprehensive software packages. The correct application of these algorithms necessitates a good understanding of the underlying techniques and physics that are at play. The verification of the processed data produced by the algorithms demands a thorough understanding of the underlying interferometric VLBI measurements. This review describes the latest techniques and algorithms that scientists should know about when analyzing VLBI data.