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by acqq 3546 days ago
The specific quote from VLBA page that states that the parallaxes are there being measured "to determine the complete 3D structure of the Milky Way":

https://science.nrao.edu/facilities/vlba

"In 2010, the VLBA will begin a long-term program to determine the complete 3D structure of the Milky Way by measuring parallaxes with 10 mas accuracy or better to ~ 400 high-mass star-formation regions."

In order to achieve the stated accuracy using the radio telescopes around the world together is necessary.

http://www.vlba.nrao.edu/sites/