Non-Redundant Mask Interferomeric Techniques for Extreme Adaptive Optics Integral Field Spectroscopy

American Museum Natural History, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

The award is to fund the development and implementation of a non-redundant mask interferometer for use with the 200 inch Hale Telescope at Mt. Palomar. The mask will be used in conjunction with a high-order adaptive optics system, currently being developed at California Institute of Technology, and will feed an integral field unit spectrograph. This instrument will enable detection of faint companions, such as brown dwarfs and massive planets in close proximity to nearby stars. Many extra-solar planets have already been detected by the indirect technique of high-resolution spectroscopy but this instrument will permit direct imaging at different wavelengths permitting detailed analysis of the size and composition of these massive planets and low-mass stellar companions. The direct detection of extra-solar planets is a very topical scientific research area and also one which captures the public imagination. The project will be carried out at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and will have high visibility due to the Museum?s public outreach.