We present here the results from a full polarisation study, an important VLBI capability, of a selected set of bright Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), along with the steps required to fully calibrate the Australian Long Baseline Array. We compare strategies for high-precision polarisation measurements using two polarisation correction methods: (1) Linear model and (2) Ellipticity-Orientation model and two data-recording techniques: recording (1) nominally circular polarisation at all stations and (2) mixed polarisation, where all but one station record circular polarisation and the other recorded linear polarisation. The latter is corrected post-correlation. We explored these possible solution to discover which will best accommodate the heterogeneous nature of the Australian Long Baseline Array without impacting on the science results. The targets, all compact and of low polarisation fraction, allow us to compare multiple independent solutions for polarisation characteristics. The results show that the agreement between the two polarisation correction models is excellent. However, the values from Mopra with nominally circular polarisation are larger than would be acceptable. However, we also demonstrate that recording mixed polarisation modes and correcting post-correlation provide a high quality polarisation product. We report on the detailed tests of these strategies and assess that the array is ready for full polarisation operation.

The Korean VLBI Network (KVN) is a unique millimeter VLBI system which is consisted of three 21 m telescopes with relatively short baselines. We present the preliminary results of simultaneous monitoring observations of the 22.2 GHz H2O and 43.1/42.8/86.2/129.3 GHz SiO masers based on the KVN Key Science Project (KSP). We obtained the astrometrically registered maps of the H2O and SiO masers toward nine evolved stars using the source frequency phase referencing method (SFPR). The SFPR maps of the H2O and SiO masers enabled us to investigate the spatial structure and kinematics from the SiO to H2O maser regions including the development of an outward motion from the ring-like or elliptical structures of SiO masers to the asymmetric structures of the 22.2 GHz H2O maser features. In particular, the 86.2/129.3 GHz SiO (v=1, J=2–1 and J=3–2) masers were clearly imaged toward several objects for the first time. The SiO v=1, J=3–2 maser shows different distributions compared to those of the SiO v=1, 2, J=1–0 and v=1, J=2–1 masers implying a different physical condition.

Pulse-shape changes correlating with flux have been shown to exist in the Vela pulsar's radio emission (Krishnamohan & Downs 1983). The aim of this work was to look for correlations between radio and X-ray flux in Vela on a pulse-by-pulse basis. We found that Vela emits significantly more X-rays during radio pulses with strong flux than during weak radio flux pulses, which indicates that the mechanisms creating the Vela pulsar's X-ray and radio emission must be related.

We present results from our analysis of Chandra data on the supernova remnant MSH 11–62 (also known as G291.0−0.1). Our previous ASCA analysis showed that MSH 11–62 is most likely a composite remnant whose strong non-thermal emission is powered by a compact object, most probably a pulsar. The present analysis confirms in a spectacular fashion the earlier detection of a compact source. The Chandra data reveal a small region with a hard non-thermal spectrum located at the tip of the central radio emission seen in data taken at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). This source is likely the young rapidly rotating neutron star powering the synchrotron nebula in MSH 11–62. Compared to other young rotation-powered pulsars the Chandra specrum of MSH 11–62 implies an energy loss rate of Ė ∼ 5 × 1036 ergs s−1.

Of all pulsars known, Vela has been one of the most productive in terms in understanding pulsars and their characteristics. We present the latest results derived from Australian telescopes. These include a more accurate pulsar distance, a more precise pulsar local space velocity, a new model of spin-up at a glitch, and the association of a radio nebula with the X-ray pulsar wind nebula.

We have used the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) to make a sensitive search for maser emission from the 4765-MHz transition of OH towards a sample of 55 star formation regions. Maser emission with peak flux densities in excess of 100 mJy were detected in 14 sites, with 10 of these being new discoveries. Unlike the ground-state OH transitions the 4765-MHz transition is not predicted to be circularly polarised and none of the masers observed have detectable levels of linear, or circular polarisation. Combining our results with those of previous high resolution observations of other OH transitions we are able to investigate various theoretical models for the pumping of OH masers.