Infrared Fringe Tracking with the CHARA Interferometer: Imaging YSO Disks and Faint Companions

Regents Of The University Of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Abstract

AST-0352723/Monnier, U. Michigan/Ann Arbor The award will support the development of an infrared fringe tracker for the Georgia State University Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy interferometer. The interferometer is a 6-telescope array located on Mt. Wilson. Similar in principle to adaptive optics, a fringe tracker stabilizes the effects of a fluctuating atmosphere to allow long integrations by the science instrument. This will improve the limiting magnitude of the interferometer and associated instruments by at least four magnitudes.