Speckle interferometry. (original) (raw)
ADS
Abstract
It is noted that atmospheric twinkling (or 'seeing') limits the resolution obtainable from ground-based telescopes. The limit of angular resolution is inversely proportional to the diameter of the main light collector. Turbulence in the earth's atmosphere degrades this angular resolution. In order to rectify this problem, multiple-aperture interferometers, consisting of a large number of images superimposed on each other, have been used. These 'speckled' images may be analyzed with Fourier mathematics and Fourier processing. The methods have been used for studying binary stars and for determining the sizes of asteroids and the sun. A technique has also been developed for reconstructing actual images of Betelgeuse, the red star in the shoulder of the Orion constellation. It is based on computer processing data on individual speckles in a series of images. In the future speckle size determinations will be extended to quasars and exploding galactic nuclei.
Publication:
New Scientist
Pub Date:
April 1978
Bibcode:
Keywords:
- Angular Resolution;
- Atmospheric Optics;
- Interferometry;
- Speckle Patterns;
- Turbulence Effects;
- Atmospheric Turbulence;
- Binary Stars;
- Fourier Analysis;
- Quasars;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Stellar Mass;
- Stellar Structure;
- Telescopes;
- Astronomy;
- Speckle Interferometry