Synonyms
Acronyms
- ALMA:
-
Atacama Large Millimeter Array
- CHARA:
-
Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy
- KI:
-
Keck Interferometer
- mas:
-
Milliarcsecond (or millisecond of arc)
- VLA:
-
Very Large Array
- VLBI:
-
Very Long Baseline Interferometry (radio domain)
- VLTI:
-
Very Large Telescope Interferometer
Definition
Astronomical interferometry is an observing technique that makes use of several separate sub-apertures instead of a single, large-aperture light collector for the observation of celestial objects. The separation between two individual sub-apertures is called the baseline and defines, together with the observing wavelength, the resolving power of the instrument. The longer the baseline and the shorter the wavelength, the higher the resolving power. Astronomical interferometry is currently operational in the radio, infrared, and visible wavelengthranges. The presently available facilities give access to angular resolutions of the order of 1–10...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References and Further Reading
Defrère D et al (2022) L-band nulling interferometry at the VLTI with Asgard/Hi-5: status and plans. Proc SPIE 12183:121830H. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2627953
Glindemann A (2011) Principles of stellar interferometry, astronomy and astrophysics library. Springer, Berlin. ISBN 9783642150289
Gori P-M et al (2021) I3T: intensity interferometry imaging telescope. Mon Not R Astron Soc 505:2328. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stab1424
GRAVITY Collaboration (2017) First light for GRAVITY: phase referencing optical interferometry for the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. Astron Astrophys 602:A94. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201730838
GRAVITY Collaboration (2019) First direct detection of an exoplanet by optical interferometry Astrometry and K-band spectroscopy of HR 8799 e. Astron Astrophys 623:L11. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201935253
Lawson PR (ed) (1997) Selected papers on long baseline stellar interferometry (SPIE Press Book). SPIE Optical Engineering Press, Bellingham. ISBN 9780819426725
Monnier JD (2003) Optical Interferometry in astronomy. Rep Prog Phys 66(5):789–857. https://doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/66/5/203
Optical long baseline interferometry (OLBIN) publication database.: http://jmmc.fr/bibdb/. Last date of access to 3 Feb 2023
Pott J-U, Surdej J (eds) (2018) Future of optical-infrared interferometry in Europe. Exp Astron 46:381–571. ISSN: 0922-6435 (Print) 1572-9508 (Online)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
About this entry
Cite this entry
Kervella, P. (2022). Interferometry. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_792-6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_792-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics
Publish with us
Chapter history
-
Latest
Interferometry- Published:
- 17 February 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_792-6
-
Original
Interferometry- Published:
- 20 April 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_792-5