next up previous
Next: Jean-Philippe Berger PROTOPLANETARY WORLDS Up: Session 3: Infrared Interferometry Previous: Session 3: Infrared Interferometry


Stephen T. Ridgway
GROUND-BASED OPTICAL INTERFEROMETRY: WHERE WE ARE TODAY (Invited review)

GROUND-BASED OPTICAL INTERFEROMETRY: WHERE WE ARE TODAY


Stephen T. Ridgway
NOAO


More than three decades ago, the modern era of optical interferometric astronomy began with the first prototype arrays. Today, our communities are enjoying the fruits of sophisticated facility-class arrays incorporating, among other things, most of the world^1s largest telescopes, wavefront control systems, multi-beam combination, moveable telescopes and achieving direct resolutions of 1 milliarcsecond. Along the way, most or all of the essential technical problems of optical interferometry have been solved in at least one way and more elegant solutions continue to arrive. Interferometry stands poised to rewrite the text books of stellar astronomy and astrophysics. Let's reflect on the progress and enjoy the moment.


next up previous
Next: Jean-Philippe Berger PROTOPLANETARY WORLDS Up: Session 3: Infrared Interferometry Previous: Session 3: Infrared Interferometry
LESIA, Observatoire de Paris
2006-03-16